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THE 

REPUBLIC OF MEXICO 



AND ITS 



AMERICAN CREDITORS. 



THE 



REPUBLIC Of MEXICO 



AND ITS 



AMERICAN CREDITORS. 



THE UNFULFILLED OBLIGATIONS OF THE MEXICAN REPUBLIC TO CITI- 
ZENS OF THE UNITED STATES, FROM WHOM IT OBTAINED 
MATERIAL AID, ON CREDIT,— THE NATURE 
AND EXTENT OF THAT AID. 



^V 



BY HERMAN STURM. 




INDIANAPOLIS: 

D O U O I, A S S it CONNER, P R I N T E K S , 

1869. 






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in 2010 with funding from 
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Iittp://www.archive.org/details/republicofmexico01stur 



PREFACE. 



During the years I865-'66-'67, the Government of the Mexican 

Republic, in the darkest hours of the struggle in which it was then 
engaged for the recovery of the Independence of that country and 
the overthrow of the Empire, which the Emperor of the French, 
taking advantage of the civil war then occupying the entire atten- 
tion of the Government of the United States, had forced upon the 
unwilling people of Mexico, sought and obtained from the citizens 
of this country, and on credit, much valuable and essential material 
aid for that cause. 

This assistance was rendered that Government because of our 
sympathy with its cause, and under its solemn pledges to pay ac- 
cording to contract these creditors for the aid so obtained. These 
pledges, as the present volume will show, have been violated by 
the restored Government of the Mexican Republic; and all efforts 
by these indulgent and liberal creditors to obtain payment of their 
claims have, up to the present time, been futile. Indeed the Mexi- 
can Government has so clearly disclosed a deliberate purpose to 
defraud these creditors, that they cannot longer expect to obtain 
justice from that Government without the assistance of their own 
Government. 

To solicit such assistance is the purpose of these creditors ; and 
the present publication is made with the design of acquainting the 
people and authorities of the United States with the merits of their 
case — how and under what promises and pledges the Mexican Gov- 
ernment sought aid of the citizens of the United States ; how and 
to what extent they furnished aid to that Government, on credit; 
and how all efforts to secure a fulfillment of their contracts with 
that Government have been unavailing. 

At a recent meeting, in New York city, of a large number of the 
above described creditors, it was resolved to take decisive steps for 



11 

the purpose of obtaining satisfaction of their claims against Mexi- 
co through the intervention of the Congress of the United States. 
As chairman of that meeting, I was authorized and directed to 
take such action as was best calculated to secure the object of the 
meeting. To this end, I recently addressed to General H. Sturm, 
of Indiana, who was agent of the Mexican Republic in this coun- 
try, and through whose efforts was obtained for the cause of that 
Republic the aid for which payment has been so long and fruitlessly 
sought, the following letter : 

Office of Hermann Boker & Co., ~| 

No. 50 Cliff Street, [■ 

New Toek, November 2, 1869. J 

My Dear General : It is now clear to the minds of impartial men that the treaty 
(which both you and Mr. Eomero assured us would be the means of bringing about 
a fair settlement of our claims against Mexico) recently concluded between the 
Governments of the United States and Mexico is a fraud upon American citizens, 
and that no creditor whose claim is based upon contract can be beneiited thei-eby. 
On the contrary, it seems the treaty was drawn (or, at least, is to be so construed) 
for the special benefit of Mexico, and decidedly against the interests of American 
citizens; and at a meeting held in this city on the 29th of October, it was resolved 
to memorialize Congress on the subject of a settlement of our claims against Mexico. 

With this in view, and as you were the agent through whom we (the memorialists) 
were induced to trust Mexico, we now beg of yoa to write a statement setting forth 
clearly and fully the powers and authority conferred on you by the Mexican Gov- 
ernment, under which you acted as its agent; relating also how, and in what manner, 
and under what promises, you obtained aid from citizens of this country in behalf 
of Mexico; the nature and value of the aid thus obtained: and also how the Mexican 
Government has disregax'ded the many lequests for a settlement of its indebtedness 
to citizens of this country. 

Be pleased to state particularly (if you can do so consistently), the utter des- 
titution of that Government, both of means and credit ; and especially the many 
efforts made by it to obtain supplies in this country ; all of which failed until we 
came to its rescue. 

Please state fully what connection the Mexican Minister, or other Mexican 
authorities, had with your endeavors to obtain aid for their country here, and how 
far they urged you on, or approved your acts, etc., etc.; and, finally, how the Mexi- 
can Minister has since held out to American creditors the idea that all their claims 
would be arranged by the Commissioners provided for under the treaty. 

At the time you acted as the Agent of the Mexican Government, you repeatedly 
assured us that you would, at any time, whenever necessary for the interests of your 
friends, who trusted Mexico only upon your representations, furnish us copies of 
your authorizations, and such other proofs as might be necessary for a settlement of 
our claims against that Government, and render us all the aid in your power; and I 
have no doubt you will do so now. And as you are, yourself, a creditor of 
Mexico to a large amount, it will be well for you to state how that Government has 
refused to do justice even to you, 



HI 

If the facts, wliich are at present but little known to the public, be published to 
the world, I have no doubt that our Government will speedily devise means by 
which full justice shall be done to us all. 

"With kind regards, I remain, 

Yours very truly, HERMAN FUNKE, 

Chairman of Committee. 
To General H. Sturm, Indianapolis, Indiana. 

To which General Sturm replied : 

Indianapolis, November 6th, 1869. 

My Bear Sir: Your letter of the 2d inst. has been received. Some friends in 
Cincinnati, who, like yourself and those for whom you speak, are long-suffering 
creditors of the Mexican Government, having some weeks ago requested me'to pre- 
pare for publication a recital similar in its character to the one you have suggested, 
I was engaged in that work and had it nearly completed at the time your letter 
came to hand. Of the greater portion of this narration, I herewith send you 
proofs. I hope it will answer your purpose, although written before your request 
was received. Should it become necessai'y for your interests, I will at any time 
produce the original documents, letters, etc., referred to by me in the enclosed 
statement, as well as many others which I have not deemed it necessary to mention 
therein. 

It has been to me an exceedingly unpleasant task, I confess, to thus accuse of in- 
gratitude and bad faith a Government to which, as I can truly say, I have been a 
friend in need, and that I faithfully tried to serve; but I fully agree with you, and 
your friends, that it is necessary now, and is not only a duty I owe to you, but to 
the world, that I should publish all the facts in this connection. The Mexican Gov- 
ernment had it in its power, by faithfully keeping its pledges to citizens of the 
United States, to contradict the charges so often made, regarding its character for 
treachery and want of good faith ; but has seen fit to completely prove all the state- 
ments I and other friends have repeatedly made in its favor to have been errone- 
ous, and based upon an utter misunderstanding of its true character. 

In regard to the treaty to which you refer, I can only say that in my opinion 
it is entirely inadequate and decidedly unjust to American citizens. The rules of 
the Commission appointed under its provisions are especially onerous and difficult, 
and in many oases impossible to be complied with. 

There is no reason why the Mexican Government should not be compelled to set- 
tle its just debts to citizens of this country. It is true, that Government is in a 
state of chronic impoverishment; and equally true, that it will remain so as long 
as it is allowed to mismanage its affairs to the detriment of its own people and of 
the whole civilized world. 

"When the Government of the United States, true to its long established principles, 
interfered in behalf of Republican Mexico, as against the establishment ihere of a 
Monarchical Government by European powei'S, it, also, at the same time, assumed 
an important responsibility to the nations of the world, and especially to the 
just creditors of Mexico; and it is the duty of our Government not only to 
require that its citizens shall be fairly dealt with by Mexico, but that a Government 
shall be established there capable enough and honorable enough to turn the 
immeuBe resources of that country to good account, and especially that will furnish 



IV 

the same protection to citizens of this country who may choose to engage in com- 
mercial enterprises in that country, as is secured to citizens of Mexico in our 
country. 

The untold wealth of Mexico, both agricultural and mineral, if properly de- 
veloped by an industrious, energetic people like ours, would in a few years pay off 
the entire debt of that country, under the direction of a Governoient of sufl5cient 
capability and honesty of purpose to administer the affairs of that country to the 
benefit thereof. 

In conclusion, allow me to say, that I will cheerfully co-operate with you in any 
measure having for its object, the attainment of the results sought by you, as indi- 
cated ia your letter. 

In haste, yours truly, 

H. STUEM. 

To If. Funke, Bsg., Chairman, etc. 

The statement referred to by General Sturm in the foregoing 
letter is respectfully submitted in the following pages. 

H. FUNKE. 

New York, November 11th, 1869. 



S T A- T E Ivd: :E3 3sr T 



GENERAL HERMAN STURM. 



RELATES THE ORIGIN OF MY CONNECTION WITH THE MEXICAN GOV* 
ERNMENT, as the agent THEREOF IN THE UNITED STATES. 

In the month of April, 1865, in the city of "Washington, D. C, I 
met General Lewis Wallace, of Indiana, who informed me that he 
had just returned from the Rio Grande, where he had formed the 
acquaintance of General Jose M. J. Carvajal, Governor of the Mexi- 
can States of Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi, who had come to 
this country with him, clothed with authority to obtain material 
aid for his government in overthrowing the Empire foisted upon 
Mexico by the Emperor of the French, and expelling its foreign 
invaders. 

General Wallace described to me the great need of the Mexican 
Government of efficient material for conducting the war— General 
Carvajal having even been reduced to the necessity of training 
troops with bows and arrows-— especially the want of efficient offi- 
cers, having a proper knowledge and experience of military duties, 
of manufacturing munitions and taking care of them; that General 
Carvajal had solicited his assistance in obtaining, for the Mexican 
service, American officers possessed of the requisite skill, experience 
and interest in the cause; and that he (General Wallace), in con- 
sideration of his knowledge of my antecedents and the character of 
the services I had rendered my government during the late war in 
this country, as well as my well-known sympathy with the Mexi- 
can Government in its endeavors to extirpate the Monarchy sought 
to be established there by European Dynasties, and so restore the 
Government of the Mexican people, — had assured General Car- 
vajal that he would use his best exertions to induce me to aid the 
Mexican Republic in the manner he desired. 



General Wallace assured me that General Carvajal's powers 
from his Government were ample, the propositions he would make, 
honorable, and the inducements he would offer, fair and liberal. 
He then introduced me to that officer, who confirmed what Gene- 
ral Wallace had said to me, as above stated, and after explaining 
the necessities and desires of his Government, urged me to accept 
his propositions; which I, at the time, considered liberal, and agreed 
to favorably consider. The result was that I expressed my willing- 
ness to accept his propositions, provided I should succeed in obtain- 
ing the consent of Governor Morton to my resignation of the posi- 
tion of Chief of Ordnance for the State of Indiana, on whose staff 
I was then serving in that capacity. 

General Carvajal then proceeded to unfold more in detail the 
objects of his mission. His Government desired to obtain the aid 
of an American auxiliary force of ten thousand men, who would 
be willing to go to Mexico as emigrants, there to be formed into 
military organizations, representing the different branches of the 
service — infantry, artillery, cavalry and engineers — such emigrants 
to assemble somewhere on the Rio Grande, and thence join the 
Army of Mexico; and he wished me to take charge of the re- 
sponsibility of providing all the munitions and supplies for such 
auxiliary army corps, as well as for whatever Mexican troops might 
be added to this force; the strength of which force, thus contem- 
plated to be provided for, it was anticipated would be about as fol- 
lows: forty thousand infantry, three thousand cavalry, fifteen bat- 
teries of artillery, and an engineer corps of two thousand men. 

In speaking of these plans and his hopes founded on them. Gene- 
ral Carvajal expressed the expectation that within the period of 
three months from that time, we should have obtained the desired 
number of emigrants, with the munitions for equipping the force, 
and have the same on Mexican soil. In addition to the duties 
already entrusted to my performance, and for the simplification of 
the enterprise — as well as to secure the desired secrecy — Gene- 
ral Carvajal requested me to take the general charge of providing 
for all the emigrants that might be engaged, previous to dispatch- 
ing them to Mexico, to provide means for their transportation there, 
and on their arrival on Mexican territory, he further desired that I 
should take charge of the Ordnance Department of his District, and 
direct the construction there of an extensive arsenal, to be devoted 
to the manufacture and repair of arms and other munitions ; and 



3 

promising that I should permanently retain this position of Chief 
of Ordnance, with the full rank and pay of Brigadier General after 
the close of the war. He assured me that the funds necessary for 
putting these extensive plans into execution would, in a short time, 
be in readiness, having received what he considered reliable prom- 
ises that a loan he was authorized to negotiate could be readily 
placed. 

After communicating with Governor Morton on the subject, I 
obtained his consent to accept my resignation of the office of Chief 
of Ordnance for Indiana, whenever it should be necessary for me 
to relinquish ithat trust ; and, on the 1st of May, 1865, I advised 
General Carvajal of my readiness to accept his proposition, on the 
conditions and in consideration of the inducements named by him. 

THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT OF THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT WITH 

ME. 

His covenant with me for and on the part of the Mexican Gov- 
ernment, is as follows: 

" This agreement, made at Washington City, D. C, U. S. of 
America, this first day of May, 1865, between General Jose M. J. 
Carvajal, Governor of the States of Tamaulipas and San Luis 
Potosi, acting for the said States and the United States of Mexico, 
and General Herman Sturm of Indiana, witnesses: That said Gene- 
ral Carvajal hereby engages said Sturm as Agent of the Mexican Re- 
public, for the purchase and shipment of all material necessary for the 
prosecution of the war against the French ; also as Secret Agent, 
to raise and transport emigrants from the United States to Mexico ;' 
and generally to aid the cause of the Mexican Republic, by all 
means not in violation of the laws of the United States of America. 
Said General Carvajal agrees to pay to said General Sturm for 
his said services and personal expenses in and about the same 
while in the United States, according to written orders to be given 
him separately, and which are not to exceed, say, twenty thousand 
dollars, nor be less than ten thousand dollars in United States cur- 
rency. 

"At the close of the war, said Sturm is to have a position in the 
Ordnance Department, within the military command of the said 
General Carvajal, in Mexico, and be charged with the building of 
arsenals, and the manufacture of ordnance, and everything pertain- 



ing thereto, with the rank and pay of Brigadier-General in the 
Mexican army. 

" General Sturm on his part agrees,' for and in consideration of 
the above and other covenants and agreements to be kept and per- 
formed by the said General Carvajal and the Mexican Government, 
to resign his position as Brigadier-General and Chief of Ordnance of 
the State of Indiana, and give his whole time and attention to the 
interests of Mexico, placing himself, for the purpose, under the 
orders of the said Carvajal and the Supreme Government of the 
Republic of Mexico. 

" To enable the said Sturm to carry out the plans which may be 
formed in this connection, he shall select such officers as may be 
necessary to him in the business ; and to secure their services, the 
said Sturm is authorized to promise them, in case they emigrate to 
Mexico, positions and salaries equivalent to those last held by them 
in the service of the United States Government or the State ser- 
vice, or held by them at the time of their engagement. 

" Said Carvajal also agrees to furnish, or to place at the dis- 
posal of said Sturm, all the funds necessary for the fulfillment of 
his contracts for arms, material, etc., as well as for the inspection 
and transportation of the same, and of the emigrants he may suc- 
ceed in engaging, while they remain on duty in the United States, 
and until their arrival in Mexico. And the better to make the 
efforts of the said Sturm successful in overcoming all difficulties, 
the said Carvajal further agrees to place at the disposal of said 
Sturm the necessary funds, when it shall be in his power so to do ; 
the same to be in his hands a " Secret Service Fund," to be used 
at his discretion, to gain sympathy, opinion and action in behalf of 
the Republic of Mexico, in the United States. 

" It is further mutually agreed between the contracting parties, 
that this agreement shall be held strictly confidential, never to be 
shown or exposed unless specifically called for by General Carva- 
jal, or the Mexican Government; or unless rendered necessary for 
the protection of said Sturm. 

" In witness whereof, the parties hereto have interchangably set 
their hands and seals, the day and year above written. [skal.] 

(Signed), "JOSE M. J. CARVAJAL, 

Governor of the States of Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi, and 
Agent for the Mexican Republic." 

(Signed,) H. STURM, [seal.] 



MY POWER OF AUTHORITY FROM THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT. 

Since this agreement, for obvious reasons, was of such a nature 
that it could not judiciously be made public, or produced by me as 
an evidence of my authority, in my negotiations with others while 
endeavoring to carry out its objects ; General Carvajal, for the 
purpose of facilitating my efforts and attesting my authority when- 
ever necessary, gave me a power of authority, (as he termed it,) 
which was as follows : 

" To whom it may concern: 

"Being well assured that General Herman Sturm, of Indiana, 
has all the requisite qualifications to perform the duties herein- 
below specified, this is to certify, that the undersigned (having full 
authority so to do, by virtue of certain Supreme Orders, to me 
issued by Benito Juarez, Citizen President of the Republic of 
Mexico) has, this first day of March, A. D. 1865, appointed and 
commissioned the said Herman Sturm my lawful agent, for me, 
and in my name, place and stead, to do the things following, to-wit: 

First, "To contract for and purchase the Ordnance and Ordnance 
stores contained in a printed invoice marked "A," and made a part 
of this instrument. 

Second, " To contract for and purchase Quartermaster's Stores, 
including transportation, as per printed invoice herewith attached, 
and marked "A." 

Third, " To contract for and purchase Commissary Stores, as 
per printed invoice herewith attached, and marked "A." 

Fourth, " To purchase or charter six steamers, at least three of 
which shall be constructed or altered in such manner as to be able 
to ply on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and on the western 
rivers of the United States. 

Fifth, "As incidental to the foregoing authorities, the said Her- 
man Sturm is further empowered to appoint all subordinates, offi- 
cers and agents, and contract with such boat captains and crews as 
may be necessary, in his opinion, to execute the objects contem- 
plated ; all of which are well known to him and to the under- 
signed, and General Lew. Wallace of the United States Army. 

Sixth, "All appointments, contracts and shipments which the 
said Herman Sturm may make, under and by virtue of this instru- 



6 

ment shall, in my absence, be by and with the approval of the said 
Major General Lew. Wallace. 

Seventh " Said Herman Sturm has full instructions and author- 
ity to arrange for the payment of such obligations as he may con- 
tract under the foregoing authority. 

" Soto la Marina, ] 

State of Tamaulipas, Republic of Mexico, > 

Dated March 1st, 1865. ) 

(Signed) "JOSE M. J. CARVAJAL, [seal.] 

Governor of the States of Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi, acting 
for said States and the United States of Mexico." 

To this power of authority the Mexican Consul-General at 
New York subsequently attached the following certificate : 

" The undersigned, Consul-General of the Mexican Republic in 
the United States of America : 

" I do certify, that the signature authorizing the foregoing docu- 
ment, is that of General Jose M. J. Carvajal, of the Army of the 
Mexican Republic, Governor of the States of Tamaulipas and San 
Luis Potosi, and duly authorized Agent for the Constitutional 
Government of the Republic, under the Supreme Orders of the 8th 
and 12th of November, 1864, issued in accordance to law. 

" Done under my hand and seal at my Consular [consular] 

Office, at the city of New "York, this 5th day of June, [seal.] 

1865. (Signed), 

"JUAN N. NAVARRO." 

The authority of General Carvajal was subsequently still fur- 
ther attested by Senor Don M. Romero, the Mexican Minister 
Resident in Washington, of whose certificate the following is a true 
copy : 

Legacion Mexicana " The undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary 
en los and Minister Plenipotentary from the 

EsTADOs Unidos United Mexican States to the Government 
de of the United States of America, do hereby 

America. certify that General J. M. J. Carvajal, of 

the Mexican Army, is the Governor of the State of Tamaulipas of 
Mexico, appointed by the National Government of the Republic; 
and that he was authorized by his government, under date of No- 
vember 12, 1864, to make contracts for the purchase of arms and 
munitions of war and negotiate funds, under the terms and condi- ^ 



tions and with the powers therein specified ; and that any contract 
or purchase that he ivill make in pursuance of and in accordance to 
said instruction ivill bind the National Government of Mexico and 
the public faith of the country. 

" Done in the city of Washington, this 7th day of June, in the 
year 1865. (Signed), 

« M. EOMERO." 

It will be perceived that the foregoing instrument is dated as if 
issued in Mexico ; the object of so dating it being, as General 
Carvajal and General Wallace explained, to avoid the possible dif- 
ficulties or embarrassments that might result, should the existence 
of such a document, dated in the United States, come to the 
knowledge of the enemies of the Mexican Republic ; and particu- 
larly, to avoid embarrassing Senor Romero, who had expressly 
cautioned General Carvajal to be circumspect on this point. 

The printed schedule "A," referred to in my letters of authority, 
is too lengthy to be inserted here ; nor is that necessary. It is suf- 
ficient to remark, that it was a detailed, complete list of the muni- 
tions and other articles required by General Carvajal, which I had 
prepared in printed form, and submitted on the first of May, 1866, 
for his approval, and which list, as will be seen hereafter, he subse- 
quently returned to me approved and signed. 

WHAT WAS MEANT BY THE FOREGOING AGREEMENT THE QUESTION 

OF MY COMPENSATION, ETC. 

At the time of the execution of the agreement of May 1st, 1865, 
General Carvajal (as I have before intimated, and which I now 
refer to more fully ; as it has an important bearing on the question 
of my compensation for services in behalf of Mexico) told me that 
it was the intention, which I was expected to accomplish, to have 
all the needed military stores in readiness for shipment to Mexico 
within the next three months ; for the accomplishment of which 
the requisite funds should be provided and placed at my disposal 
in due season : proceeding to state, that as my rank and pay of 
Brigadier-General in the Mexican Army could not (by reason of 
the neutrality laws) commence until after my arrival in Mexico, 
and as the consummation of this vast work in so brief a period 
would necessarily involve great expense, he agreed to allow me 
an adequate sum — not less than ten thousand nor more than twenty 



8 

'thousand dollars, — which allowance, as will be seen from the agree- 
ment, it was distinctly understood was to be in compensation for 
my personal services and expenses diiring^ the time Itvas expected 
to be occvpied in the United States — which it was then anticipated 
would be about three months. I may also mention here, that be- 
fore entering into the written agreement with General Carvajal, I 
assured myself that in thus aiding the Mexican Government, I 
would not be violating any law of my own country, nor acting con- 
trary to the sympathies of my Government. 

OVER-SANGUINE EXPECTATIONS OF GENERAL CARVAJAL. 

The expectations of General Carvajal and the other Mexican 
officers about him were so sanguine, and so confident their antici- 
pations of obtaining without delay the necessary funds to put his 
designs into immediate and successful execution, that I, who was 
not familiar with their financial projects, implicitly relied on their 
representations, convinced as I was of the sufficiency of General 
Carvajal's authority. 

I BEGIN MY DUTIES AND ENGAGE ASSISTANTS. 

I proceeded at once to the execution of the various duties in- 
tiusted to me. I engaged the services of a number of agents, whom 
I sent to different parts of the country, to aid me in carrying out 
the general plan ; myself visited the principal cities, where I made 
the requisite arrangements for procuring and shipping supplies to 
the Mexican authorities, as well as instituting the necessary pre- 
parations and engagement for transporting to Mexico, via the Mis- 
sissippi river and Brazos, Texas, such emigrants as might be se- 
cured. 

SUCCESS. 

Success in the ultimate object had to be preceded by enlisting 
sympathy in the cause ; and by the first of August in the same 
year, by the aid of General Wallace and other influential friends, I 
had been successful in enlisting the friendly interest and influence 
of many citizens of this country, who had lately been officers in the 
Army of the United States, to whom I had made the propositions 
authorized by General Carvajal, and who had expressed their readi- 
ness to go to Mexico, there to actively engage in the cause of the 
Bepublic. 



ATTENDANT EXPENSES DEFRAYED BY ME. 

The expenses incident to labors of such a description were neces- 
sarily large, but I raised the money to defray them without hesita- 
tion or doubt of reimbursement; for I implicitly trusted in the Mex- 
ican Government, that it would honorably fulfill its pledges made 
through its authorized representatives, and especially its solemn 
obligation to remunerate me for my labor and expenditures in a 
service so intimately affecting the welfare of Mexico. 

GENERAL CARVAJAl's ARRANGEMENTS FOR EFFECTING A MEXICAN LOAN. 

On the 5th of August, I arrived in New York, in obedience to a 
dispatch from General Carvajal. He assured me that his efforts to 
obtain funds were progressing fayorably, and in a few days all the 
means I required would be at my disposal ; which, he incidentally 
stated, had been promised him by " a very wealthy Company," who 
had undertaken the negotiation of a loan of ^50,000,000, predicated 
on the bonds of the Mexican Republic. 

The " wealthy Company " referred to, I ascertained to be, 
" The United States, European and West Virginia Land and 
Mining Company," with one Daniel Woodhouse as the purported 
Secretary thereof, on which concern he gave me two drafts — one 
for 820,000 in Mexican bonds, to defray certain incidental expenses 
— such as printing, advertising, etc. ; the other, for ^1,500,000 in 
United States currency, to reimburse myself for moneys I had ad- 
vanced, and to meet obligations due or likely to accrue in the im- 
mediate future. At the same time, he assured me that in a few 
days another sum should be furnished that would enable me to 
settle all the contracts I had made. 

UTTER FAILURE OF GENERAL CARVAJAl's FINANCIAL PLAN. 

I presented the drafts at the office of the above named Company, 
which I soon perceived to be at least an unreliable concern, and which 
stricter investigation proved to be a bubble corporation- — in short, 
an unmitigated swindle — its resources fictitious — its pretences a 
fraud. Tlie names of respectability and influence representing the 
officers of the pretended company, and so pretentiously paraded in 
their prospectus and announcements, had been so employed with- 
out permission or consent; they denied any knowledge of even the 
existence of such a concern : and it was apparent that General 



10 

Carvajal had been made the victim of a parcel of speculative 
rogues. 

A CRISIS. 

Thus the whole fabric of Mexican credit constructed by General 
Carvajal, and on which I had been depending, collapsed ; and I 
perceived that the further prosecution of the designs formed to send 
assistance to Mexico must be suspended, until reliable arrange- 
ments could be made for raising funds. The embarrassments of 
my position it would not be difficult to imagine. Leaving out of 
the question the funds I and my friends had already advanced to 
speed the cause — how were engagements already made to be met? 
How pacify creditors with whom contracts for stores had been 
made; who had already incurred more or less outlay in preparing 
their goods for delivery; and who certainly had well grounded 
claims for damages from me? How dispose of the considerable 
number of emigrants whom w^e had induced to listen to our pro- 
positions, and who would expect us to fulfill our promises? In a 
few words, how preserve my own good name, by meeting the en- 
gagements I had made ; and how preserve the enterprise from ruin, 
and the cause from ridicule ? 

Such were the questions pressing me for answers. I, of course, 
lost no time in explaining to General Carvajal, the true nature of 
his critical position, and urging the necessity of engaging, if pos- 
sible, without delay, a responsible house to act as financial agent 
for his government. Then it was that General Carvajal apprised 
me fully of the difficulties and embarrassments of his position ; and 
I was made aware of facts of w^hich 1 hitherto had been ignorant, 
and which increased the obstacles to success that already seemed 
well-nigh insurmountable. I now learned to my surprise that Gen- 
eral Carvajal, in addition to being destitute of Government funds, 
had long since exhausted his private means; and that, ever since 
their arrival in this country, he and other Mexicans with 
him had been supported by means of funds furnished them by 
General Wallace and, I believe, one other American officer. I 
also learned that the Mexican Legation in this country was so 
poor as to be compelled to resort to all sorts of shifts and contri- 
vances, in order that funds might be obtained to pay even the most 
necessary expenses connected therewith ; and, further, that the Mexi- 
can^Government — driven to the furthermost corner of the Republic — 
was unable to furnish the slightest aid to its refugees in this country, 



11 

(prisoners of war lately returned from France), some of whom were 
then in absolute want of food in New York, and unable to obtain 
any employment. 

THE EXTREMITIES OF THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT AND OF ITS AGENTS 

IN THIS COUNTRY. 

This was not all. General Carvajal, fully persuaded that he 
should be successful in raising funds in this country, had induced 
a considerable number of ex-officers of the United States Army to 
accept his propositions to serve in the cause of his country, with 
whom he had made engagements. These men were, at this time, 
in New York, Boston, and other places, waiting for transportation 
to Mexico, and their debts, in the matter of hotel bills and other 
necessary expenses, already amounted to a large sum : which 
they expected, of course, to be provided for by General Carvajal, 
who, owing to the utter failure of his financial plans, had neither 
funds at his command nor means of raising them. Most of the 
Mexican officers and refugees then in the United States were de- 
pendent for their pay on this officer's success in negotiating a loan, 
which was now badly in arrears, and absolutely necessary for the 
liquidation of the personal expenses they had incurred. General 
Carvajal, himself, had necessarily incurred a large indebtedness, in 
various ways, which, as a matter of course, must be discharged. 
Indeed, it was perfectly obvious that the Mexican cause in this 
country was in a lamentable crisis, and that if the existing state of 
affairs was not speedily remedied, the disagreeable facts would be 
brought to the knowledge of the public ; when the bubble of Mexi- 
can credit would burst, and failure and disgrace attend the meas- 
ures that had been instituted to obtain assistance in the United 
States. 

now I WAS PRESSED TO ASSIST THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT. 

That these disclosures were a rude surprise to me who can 
doubt? That I was much discouraged, and even tempted to 
abandon what I had undertaken, was natural. But this disposi- 
tion was only temporary; and when General Carvajal, (in the pres- 
ence of General Wallace and prominent Mexicans then in New 
York, nearly all of whom are, to-day, holding important positions of 
trust and profit in the civil and military service of Mexico,) recount 



12 

ed to me his troubles, how he had been deceived and imposed 
upon by Woodhouse & Co. — the distressful predicament of his 
people and Government, — his deep affliction at his country's peril 
and distress at his own embarrassed situation, moved me to strong 
sympathy : and when he and his Mexican associates implored me 
not to forsake them, I yielded to their pressing importunities, and 
resolv^ed, in the full belief that I should ultimately succeed, to haz- 
zard my means, time, and services in the support of a cause made 
noble by such defenders as General Carvajal, having all faith that 
no Government capable of an aspiration for an honorable name 
among nations could prove so base and contemptible as to violate 
its solemn pledges to a friend in another land, who, in the crisis of its 
national life, was risking his all in behalf of a country not his own. 
Since there was no question regarding General Carvajal's au- 
thority to represent and act for the Mexican Government, under 
the commission with which he came to this country — it having 
been attested by both the Minister and Consul General of his coun- 
try in the United States — and as most of his countrymen who join- 
ed with him in endeavoring to induce me to aid their cause had 
filled some of the highest positions under the Mexican Government, 
(Senor Zarco, for example, who had been Minister of Foreign Af- 
fairs,) their assurances that their Government would not only keep 
its engagements with me, but be eternally grateful besides, were 
entitled to credence, and I determined to do what in my power lay 
in behalf of their country. 

EFFORTS IN BEHALF OF THE MEXICAN CAUSE. 

My first efforts, since there was no prospect of soon realizing 
funds from the sale of bonds, were necessarily directed to appeas- 
ing those who had been engaged as emigrants, and were now wait- 
ing for the promised free transportation to Mexico ; to make satis- 
factory terms with the parties from whom I had purchased muni- 
tions and stores; and by all available means and instrumentali- 
ties, first to conceal from public knowledge, and as soon as pos- 
sible to remedy, the deplorable situation of our enterprises and the 
Mexican cause, which needed only to come to the knowledge of 
the enemies of that cause to be employed to its incalculable detri- 
ment. This result I accomplished with no other pecuniary re- 
sources than my own means, and such assistance as I could prevail 
on my friends to afford, 



13 

EFFORTS TO MANUFACTURE CREDIT FOR MEXICO. 

I also lost no time, nor spared effort, in striving to enlist the sym- 
pathy and gain the aid of wealthy citizens of New York in behalf 
of Mexico; but to so low a state had the credit of that country 
sunk, so bad its reputation for reliability, so disordered its finances, 
and dubious its prospects, that I obtained but little sympathy in its . 
behalf, and no aid. Indeed, I generally received from those I thus 
approached, at that time, one of two responses: either ridicule of 
the cause, or unflattering predictions that the present government 
of Mexico,.like its predecessors, as soon as its supremacy should be 
restored, would not keep its pledges to me, and that I would in the 
end receive from it only ingratitude for my services — prophecies 
which, I regret to admit, time and events have proven true. 

While thus engaged in the work of rescuing the cause from its 
dilemma, and in endeavoring to establish a financial basis that 
could be relied upon, I introduced to General Carvajal Messrs. J. 
W. Corliss & Co., a prominent house in New York city, whose ac- 
quaintance and confidence I enjoyed, and who had promised to aid 
me in my efforts; after which, perceiving that nothing further could, 
for the present, be accomplished in New York city, I proceeded to 
the West, where, assisted by numerous friends, I. labored to bring 
the cause into good repute and create a popular interest in its suc- 
cess. I was thus occupied when, at Indianapolis, on the 28th of 
August, I received the following letter : 

A DISTINGUISHED MEXICAN STATEMENT OF THE PREDICAMENT OF THE 

MEXICAN CAUSE. 

[Confidential.] "New York City, August 25, 1865. 

'■'■ General: I cannot longer conceal from myself and friends, 
that the so-called 'United States, European and West Virginia 
Land and Mining Company' is a fraud, and its agent, Woodhouse, 
a swindler. Accordingly I have thrown them oft'. 

" My labors and hopes in that direction are, therefore, lost, the 
cause of my poor country retarded, and new embarrassments 
thrown around it. Yet I do not despair. In view of the arrange- 
ments made by you and General Wallace with other parties, I con- 
sider it only a duty to at once apprise you of the unfortunate and 
(to me personally) bitter disappointment, that you may take such 
action as may be necessary to satisfy and appease all with whom 
you have contracted, or may now be in negotiation. 



14 

"J/; is of the highest importance that the good faith and name of 
viy Government be not brought into contempt and ridicule by public 
exposure in the courts or newspapers. This new aggravation makes 
my mission more difficult than ever. That mission, as you know, 
is to procure material assistance for my country, whose condition 
is gloomy beyond description. 

" Two facts, alone, almost crush us : our enemy is the most 
powerful in the world, and actually holds our cities and the forts 
from which we chiefly derive our revenue; and the head of our 
Government, with his Cabinet, is in the corner of the most distant 
State of the Republic, without money, or credit, or army — facts 
well known to the people of the United States, and calculated to 
influence every intelligent and prudent man to whom you may ad- 
dress yourself. 

" My powers are very great — draivn, evidently, in vieiv of the con- 
dition alluded to. They contemplate a necessity for extraordinary 
sacrifices, and seem to require them of me rather than fail in my 
task. The responsibility is terrible. If I make the sacrifices, will 
the necessity be appreciated by my people ? 1 will trust them, and 
leave results to God. What are millions, so they purchase the in- 
dependence of my country ? 

" I am not surprised that you report it difficult to find contracting 
parties. Certain preliminaries heretofore neglected must now be 
attended to : thus, the sympathy, voice and influence of the most 
prominent men in the country must be gained ; the Press must be 
on our side ; above all, we must enlist in the cause the most active 
and untiring agents, and if they should at the same time be agents 
of the United States Government, so much the better. I desire you 
to proceed to do this at once. General Wallace will advise and 
co-operate with you. The great advantage of our enemy is that 
he has money, and is spending it freely, while we have only promises 
to offer. The sole method of equalization is to use our promises 
on the most liberal scale. With this view, I have signed, and now 
send you, the annexed agreement, which is intended to be taken as 
incidental to the agreement heretofore delivered to you in Wash- 
ington, under date of May 1, 1865. 

" Your conduct has inspired me with faith that this great trust, 
in which my name and character and the credit of my Government 
and people are so deeply involved, will not be betrayed. If, after 
reading this letter and the agreement, you are in doubt as to their 



15 

intent and meaning, come and see me in person : the nature of the 
business is of a kind that requires explanations to be exclusively 
verbal. 

[Signed,] "JOSE M. J. CARVAJAL." 

ADDITIONAL AGREEMENT WITH MB BY GENERAL CARVAJAL, ACTING 
FOR THE MEXICAN REPUBLIC. 

The following agreement, as stated, accompanied the foregoing 

letter : 

"Neav York, August 25, 1865. 

"To vjhom it may concern: 

"Whereas, acting in conformity to my authority, and instructions 
from my Government, under date of the 8th and 12th of Novem- 
ber, 1864, the undersigned. Governor of the States of Tamaulipas 
and San Luis Potosi, and Agent and Commissioner for and in be- 
half of the General Government of Mexico, is about to contract 
with the house of J. W. Corliss & Co., of the city of New York, for 
the negotiation of a national loan of $30,000,000: In view of the 
funds expected to be raised or realized from the said contract and ne- 
gotiations, and to enable General Herman Sturm, heretofore (to-wit, 
on the 1st of May, 1865,) by me duly appointed General Agent of my 
Government, with specified powers and duties, to successfully and 
speedily execute certain duties and offices mentioned in the letter 
of instructions to him directed and bearing even date herewith, 
the undersigned hereby undertakes and pledges himself officially and 
in the name of the Mexican Government, to pay to him the sum of 
Half a Million ('^500,000) Dollars in United States currency, or its 
equivalent in [bonds of the Mexican Republic at the regular rate; 
to be used by the said Gen. Sturm as a "Secret Service" fund, and 
to guaranty any promise, contract, or arrangement which he may 
have already made, or may hereafter make, with any person or per- 
sons, in the effort to carry out the authority stated as heretofore 
given him as General Agent, and so forth : provided, that such 
promises or contracts shall always be in conformity with my in- 
structions given to him. 

" It is also understood between the undersigned and the said Gen- 
eral Sturm, that the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars, herein 
specified, is exclusive of any sum which may be used or placed at his 
disposal to buy arms, munitions, transportation, etc.; and that in the 
disposition of this half a million dollars of "Secret Service" fund, the 



16 

said Sturm is to be at liberty to make engagements, either in hia 
own name or in that of my Government; and that for the dis- 
bm'semcnt of said fund, or any part thereof, he shall not be held 
to account by my Government, or by any person acting under its 
authority, — except to furnish, on my order or that of my Govern- 
ment, his statement of the amounts contracted by him to be paid 
under this authority; without any obligation on his part to give 
any names where important parties aiding the cause of Mexico 
might be injured. 

^^And in the event that no funds should be realized from the sale of 
bonds abovt to be undertaken by Messrs. J. W. Corliss 8f Co., or in 
the event of a failure to issue bonds of the Mexican Republic, the 
undersigned hereby agrees to and ivith the said Sturm, that the said 
Republic of Mexico shall owe and be indebted to, and liable to pay 
upon the demand of the said Sturm, or his legal representatives, the 
said sum of Half a Million (8500,000) Dollars in United States 
currency, as an indemnity to him for his engagements made to and 
with other persons, as contemplated in the letter of secret instruc- 
tions of this date, and to secure to all such persons whatever prom- 
ises and undertakings he may be required to make to and with 
them : as to which, no account, of proofs or vouchers, shall be re- 
quired by my Government in the final settlement with said Sturm 
further than his own statement, as above required. 

" In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my official signature, 
at New York City, this 25th day of August, 1865. 

.[Signed,] "JOSE M. J. CARVAJAL, 

" Governor of the States of Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi, 
and Agent for the Mexican Republic.*' 

This letter and accompanying agreement speak for themselves, 
and make it unnecessary for me to attempt a description of the 
cheerless prospects of the Mexican cause, and dismal predicament 
of its Commissioner in this country at that time. On the same 
day I received from General Carvajal another letter, also dated 
August 25, and inclosing the printed schedule "A," (above referred 
to in his power of authority to me.) of the Ordnance, Quartermas- 
ter's and Commissary stores it was desired I should procure and 
ship to Mexico. This letter was as follows : — 



17 

I AM DIRECTED TO PURCHASE CERTAIN MILITARY STORES, 

" New York, August 25, 1865. 
" General H. Sturm, Indianapolis, Indiana : 

" Sir — I herewith return you the schedule of Ordnance, Quarter- 
master's and Commissary stores, which you, on the 1st of May last, 
submitted to me for approval. I have approved the same, and now 
desire you to proceed without delay to make the necessary con- 
tracts for such articles as are mentioned in this schedule ; and in 
case you should be unable to obtain the kind of articles mentioned 
in the schedule, you are hereby instructed to purchase, instead, such 
other kinds of a similar article as you may be able to obtain ; leav- 
ing it to your judgment and discretion to get the best and most 
suitable for the purpose it is intended for — which is fully known 
to you. 

" You are also authorized to make such arrangements in regard 
to payment for these articles — either in United States currencey or 
in Mexican bonds, or in both, according to the verbal instructions 
I have given you — as may in your opinion be most advantageous 
for my Government. In case payment is made in bonds, you are, 
under no consideration, to offer them at a lower rate than the min' 
inium value of sixty cents on the dollar, in United States currency. 
A sufficient amount of money, or its equivalent in the bonds of the 
Republic of Mexico, (at the rate of sixty cents in currency for 
every dollar in bonds,) will be placed at your disposal whenever re- 
quired by you for the purpose of promptly paying for all such ar- 
ticles as you may purchase under my instructions, and for meeting 
such other expenses as you may incur in the inspection, storage 
and transportation of articles purchased; and also to pay such 
agents, workmen, and other help as you may require in the prompt 
discharge of your duties. 

[Signed,] "JOSE M. J. GARVAJAL, 

"Governor of Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi, acting for said 
States and the United States of Mexico." 

THE FINANCIAL CONTRACT BETWEEN THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT AND 
J. W. CORLISS & CO., OF NEW YORK. 

Being advised by the last preceding agreement of General Car- 
vajal with me that he was arranging a contract with the house of 
Corliss & Co., similar in its objects to the one previously con- 
cluded with Woodhouse & Co., I returned at once to New York 
2 



18 

to obtain more particular information regarding this new contract, 
and the prospects of realizing funds thereby. On my arrival in 
New York, General Carvajal and Messrs. Corliss & Co. explained 
to me that a contract had been made between them, which was, in 
substance, that the former, acting for his Government, had author- 
ized the latter to sell the bonds of the Mexican Republic, and Mr. 
J. N. Tifft, a member of the firm, had been constituted Financial 
Agent of the Mexican Government. Messrs. Corliss & Co. ex- 
pressed the belief that under this new contract, by the aid of their 
extensive business acquaintance, sufficient funds would be realized 
in a short time to carry out the contemplated purposes, which had 
before so disastrously failed. 

MEXICAN ASSURANCES, UNDER THE NEW FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT. 

I returned to General Carvajal, for cancellation, the two drafts 
he had previously given me on Woodhouse's concern, and received 
instead thereof two others, for like sums, on the house of Corliss & 
Co., dated September 12th, 1865 ; and was promised by Mr. Tifft 
that these drafts should be paid from the first funds that should 
come into his possession to the credit of the Mexican Government.* 

I AM DIRECTED TO RESUME MY LABORS MY POWERS FROM THE MEXI- 
CAN GOVERNMENT. 

After full conference with General Carvajal, General Wallace, 
Mr. Tiff"t, and several prominent Mexican citizens then in New 
York, in whose judgment the former had confidence, it was deci- 
ded that I should resume, with all possible energy, the execution of 
General CarvajaFs plans, as contemplated in his letter to me of 
August 2oth, 1865, supra. He directed me to proceed to those 
duties at once, stating at the same time, to all those present at the 
conference, that he had given me full instructions and vested me 
with plenary powers, in addition to my other duties, to act as Se- 
cret Agent of the Mexican Government, and that he had promised 
me the requisite funds to meet all the obligations I should incur in 
the discharge of m^ several duties. 

f-Assurances to the same effect were subsequently repeated to me at many times, and in the pres- 
ence of various witnesses; and even as late as July and August, ISGG, when— as I shall more par- 
ticularly describe further on,— I despatched the first three cargoes of military stores to Mexico, 
Mr. Tifft assured not only me, but those from whom I had obtained credit for goods already de- 
livered, or with whom I had made contracts, that these drafts would be duly honored. 



19 

A LAND GRANT. 

As a reward for the many special extraordinary services of a se- 
cret nature I had already performed, and as an additional incentive 
to renewed exertions, General Carvajal, on the 21st of September, 
1865, for and on the part of the Mexican Government, granted to 
me and my two brothers, who had been laboring -with me in the 
cause, a patent for fifty acres of mining lands and one square league 
of agricultural lands of the public domain of Mexico, in the State 
of Tamaulipas or San Luis Potosi, and executed in due and bind- 
ing form. 

I 

ENLISTING PUBLIC SENTIMENT IN BEHALF OF THE MEXICAN CAUSE. 

Induced by these agreements and promises of the Mexican Gov- 
ernment, I and my agents traveled from point to point, laboring to 
the best of our ability, and with much success, to awaken an in- 
terest in the cause of the Mexican people, and using every availa- 
ble instrumentality in our power to gain the favor and support of 
the organs of public sentiment^— the newspapers, influential public 
men, and so forth. 

FAILURE OF THE PROPOSED MEXICAN LOAN — FlfTANCIAL EXTREMITIES OP 
THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT. 

In October, 1865, the Financial Agency of the Mexican Republic 
in New York, was formally opened by Messrs. Corliss & Co., and 
its bonds offered for sale; and although this house extensively ad- 
vertised the loan and strove to make it popular, the attempt was a 
complete failure ; it found no takers ; and success seemed impos- 
sible. In fact so low had Mexicin credit sunk, and so trifling was 
the value attached to Mexican bonds at this time, that (as I can 
substantiate by many witnesses) some of the refugees of that na- 
tion were refused so paltry an article as a loaf of bread for $500, 
and even $1,000, in Mexican bonds, which they were constrained 
to offer, in the extremities to which they had been reduced for food. 
And during all this time, and up to the period of General Carva- 
jal's return to his country, in May, 1866, I was obliged, out of my 
own means or such as I could obtain on my own credit, to provide 
for much of the personal expenditures of that officer and a number 
of other citizens of his country then in New York — in several in- 
stances, even food and clothing, — since no funds had yet been 
realized through the Financial Agency. 



20 

AN EXPRESS rO.V IN FAVOR OF THE MEXICAN RSPUBLrC BY THE INDIANA 

LEGISLATURE. 

I continued my exertions, and in December, 1865, succeeded in 
obtaining from the Legislature of Indiana an expression, in the 
form of a concurrent resolution of both Houses, reaffirming the 
principles of the Monroe Doctrine, and favoring the intervention of 
the United States in Mexican affairs, to the end that the Maximil- 
ian Empire might be disestablished, and the government of the 
people restored. This resolution of the Legislature of my State, 
vi^ith but one vote in dissent, was, I believe, the first expression of 
a legislative body in this country, advocating the intervention of 
the United States in favor of the Republican Government of the 
people of Mexico, as against the Empire sought to be established 
there by European Monarchical influences, was the precursor of 
similar action by other legislative bodies, and had a marked effect 
in arousing the people of this country from their inattention to a 
subject of such vital concernment to them as the establishment of 
an Empire in an adjacent Republic, by a foreign usurper, aided and 
upheld by foreign bayonets. 

WHAT WAS DONE TO OBTAIN AID FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF TUE UNIThD 

STATES DIRECT. 

After pursuing my labors in various parts of the West I returned 
to New York in January 1866, for the purpose of carrying out a 
programme I had proposed to General Carvajal and General Wal- 
lace as early as August 1865, namely, to endeavor to obtain aid 
for Mexico directly from the Government of the United States, 
through Congress. To put this idea into form, the Financial 
Agent, Mr. TifFt, then suggested the particular plan of obtaining 
the guaranty of a Mexican loan by the United States; and on the 
5th January, 1866, I went to Washington, for the purpose of co- 
operating with Mr. Tift in securing the consummation of this pro- 
ject, and in obedience to a written direction, as follows: 

"New York, January 5, 1866. 
" General: 

"As yet no money has been realized from the sale of boiids, a)3d 
my country being in the utmost need of money and means to de- 
fend itself against foreign aggression, it becomes necessary for tis 
to invoke the aid of the American Government, either in the way 



21 

of money or the loan of its credit, to enable us to obtain the neces- 
sary means from the citizens of the United States. 

" I therefore request you to proceed to Washington, as Confi- 
dential Agent of my Government heretofore appointed, for the 
purpose of aiding Mr. J. N. Tifft, the Financial Agent of the Re- 
public of Mexico, in obtaining from the Government of the United 
States either a direct loan of moneys, or a guaranty of a Mexican 
loan to the amount of — say, from forty millions to fifty millions 
dollars. 

" Whatever expenses may be necessary for you to incur in ac- 
complishing this object will be provided for. 

(Signed), "JOSE M. J. CARVAJAL, 

" Major-General Mexican Army. 
" General Herman Sturm, 

Confidential Agent of the Republic of Mexico." 

HOW^ AND WHY THE EFFORTS TO OBTAIN DIRECT AID FROM THE AMER- 
ICAN GOVERNMENT FAILED OF SUCCESS. 

I remained in Washington almost continuously, from January 
until the close of the session in July, endeavoring by all available 
agencies to obtain from this Government the wished-for assistance; 
in aid of which efforts I engaged able counsel, and the co-operation 
of a large number of influential men of the country. But the 
Mexican Government was laboring under such a complication of 
embarrassments, that when one difficulty had been surmounted, 
fresh ones took its place. It was a most difficult undertaking to 
get the government or people of this country to involve themselves 
for the sake of a cause so unpromising, and unrecommended by 
good faith or credit. The public distrust of Mexican faith, by 
reason of the unfulfilled obligations of former agents of that Gov- 
ernment in this country ; the active intrigues of General Ortega, 
the Chief Justice and Vice President of the Mexican Republic, and 
claiming to be the de jure President thereof, who was now in this 
country asserting his claim and embarrassing the efforts in behalf 
of the de facto government; the machinations of Maximilian's 
agents; the intrigues of that selfish schemer Santa Anna, who had 
recently arrived in this country ; the doubtful issue of the contest 
in Mexico ; the inability to forecast the future of that country, — 
all these, and other like great obstacles, so destroyed public confi- 
dence in the stability or reliability of the Mexican Government, 



22 

that (although I had the full and hearty co-operation of Mr. Ro- 
mero) the effort to obtain from the American Congress a guaranty 
of the proposed Mexican loan proved futile. This Government 
was too much concerned in the grave problems of Reconstruction 
and Finance at home, to involve itself in a foreign cause so doubt- 
ful and so blemished by broken faith. 

DIFFICULTIKS OF OBTAINING ASSISTANCE FROM THK PEOPLE OF THE 

UNITED STATES. 

While engaged, as I have been relating, in endeavoring to pro- 
cure the endorsement by this Government of the Mexican loan, I 
nevertheless continued, vvithout interruption, my efforts to obtain 
aid from individual citizens of this country, and to procure supplies 
for the bonds of Mexico, since they could not be sold for money. 
But the same influences which disinclined the Government of the 
United States to aid Mexico had a like effect on its citizens. It 
was an up-hill business, this laboring to obtain material a.id on a 
credit that so many influences conspired to destroy. 

Of one other obstacle, different in its character from those I have 
been describing, and, perhaps, the most serious of all, I must speak 
in particular. A great majority of the influential journals of this 
country — mindful of the past history of Mexico as being the the- 
ater of disorder, revolutions and intestine wars, familiar with the 
reputation of that nation for treachery and bad faith, and judging 
of its present and future by its past, — had no confidence in its 
promises now, and opposed all the plans for obtaining assistance 
in this country : while others, still more hostile, denied the capacity 
of the Mexican people for self-government, and warmly advocated 
the perpetuation of the Empire lately set up in that country, which, 
if it took from the people that which they called liberty, yet gave 
them a stable, permanent government, capable of maintaining the 
peace, order and security of society. And I had also to encounter, 
without resources, and with promises-to-pay that had no credit, 
except what my assurances might give them, the industrious oppo- 
sition of agents of foreign Governments interested in the success 
of The Empire in Mexico, or at least in the prolongation of the 
war in that country, and having both money and credit in abund- 
ance. 

SUCCESS IN SPITE OF OBSTACLES. 

Spite of all these obstacles, I had succeeded by the 1st of May 



23 

in obtaining promises, from different parties, for a large quantity of 
war material, and the ships required for its transportation to 
Mexico; which success was largely facilitated — as I may state, in 
justice to that officer — by General Carvajal, whose patriotism, 
zeal, ready command of our language, and knowledge of our peo- 
ple (having been educated at Bethany College, Virginia,) enabled 
him better than any other citizen of his country then in the United 
States, to enlighten, respecting Mexican affairs, those with whom 
my negotiations brought him in contact. 

AN INTERVIEW WITH MINISTER ROMERO HOW HE PI-EDGED HIS COUN- 
TRY TO GOOD FAITH WITH AMERICAN CREDITORS. 

Perceiving my success in obtaining supplies for the Mexican 
army. General Carvajal was desirous of returning to his own coun- 
try ; but previous to his departure went to Washington, early in 
May, in company with the Mexican General Trevino, to confer 
with the Mexican Minister; and, on the evening of General Car- 
vajal's departure for New York, I was summoned to attend a con- 
ference between these gentlemen. At this interview, in the pres- 
ence of General Trevino and Mr. Tifft, the Financial Agent, Mr. 
Romero — though expressing himself as exceedingly dubious of my 
ability to effect any purchases for Mexican bonds, knowing as he 
did his country's utter want of credit abroad, and the embarrassing 
complications in which Mexican affairs were involved — declared, 
both to General Carvajal and myself, his entire satisfaction with all 
my labors, and then and there assured us that the utmost good 
faith should be kept with those with whom I had entered, or should 
hereafter enter, into engagements. How well these pledges have 
been kept by the Government of which Mr. Romero was at that 
time the representative in this country, will appear hereafter in this 
account. 

MY FINAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM GENERAL CARVAJAL. 

May 14th, in obedience to a request by telegraph, I went to New 
York to receive from General Carvajal ray final instructions, which 
were inclosed with the following letter handed me by him : 

" New York, May 15, 1866. 
'■'■General: 

" I am about to return to my Military Department. All your 
proceedings, contracts, etc., heretofore done conformably to your 



24 • 

authorization, given by me, March 1st and August 25th, 1865, 
which have been approved by me, you are hereby directed to exe- 
cute and carry out according to the spirit and letter of the said au- 
thorization : but whatever new engagements or contracts you may 
make in the future under said authorization, must be in concert 
with Major General Lew. Wallace and Senor M. Romero, Mexi- 
can Minister Resident, at Washington. 
" Very respectfully, 
[Signed,] " "JOSE M. J. CARVAJAL, 

" Major General Mexican Army. 
" General H. Sturm." 

General Carvajal returned to Mexico on the 19th of May, 1866, 
leaving General Wallace as his Military Rep, «tative, Mr. W. 
F. Stocking, his Private Secretary, and his book-keeper, Mr. W. C. 
Peckham, in New York, who were to follow him on the first vessel 
I should dispatch to Matamoras. On the day of his departure, be- 
ing then in Washington, I received from General Carvajal a com- 
munication inclosing for my information and benefit translated 
copies of his letters of authority from his Government, by virtue 
of which he had entered into the compacts with me hereinbefore 
related. I first give his communication : 

^ " New York, May 16, 1866. 

'■^ General H. Sturm: Herewith I transmit to you for your in- 
formation, copies of my authority from the Republican Government 
of Mexico, dated 12th of November, 1865, translated into English? 
empowering me to contract a loan, buy arms, etc., etc., and admit 
foreign troops into the National service; also, another, dated 8th of 
November, 1865, naming me Governor and Military Commander 
of the State of Tamaulipas, with full and legislative powers. 

" My authority as Governor of San Luis Potosi is also authenti- 
cated, but too lengthy and connected with other irrelevant matter, 
and is, moreover, unnecessary here. 

" I also send you a copy of translation of a modification of my 
powers subsequently by the Government, in favor of Senor M. 
Romero, Minister Plenipotentiary for my Republic at Washington 
City, requiring his approbation of any future contracts I might 
make. Respectfully, your friend and obt. servant, 

(Signed,) "JOSE M. J. CARVAJAL, 

Agent for Mexican Republic." 



25 

Accompanying the foregoing communication, were the annexed 
three translations — the first, of General Carvajal's appointment by 
the Government as Governor and Military Commander of the State 
of Tamaulipas; the second, of his authorization by his Govern- 
ment to come to this country to obtain material aid for the Mexi- 
can army; and the third, of the decree of his Government direct- 
ing Senor Romero to assume certain responsibilities and powers in 
concert with General Carvajal under the authorization given the 
latter. The following is the translation of 

GENERAL CARVAJAl's APPOINTMENT AND POWERS AS GOVERNOR OF 

TAMAULIPAS. 

"Department of War "The Citizen Minister of Foreign Re- 
AND THE Navy, Repub- lations and Government imparts to me, 
Lie OF Mexico. Sec 1. under date of to-day, the following: 'With 
this date, I say to the Citizen General J. M. J. Carvajal, what fol- 
lows : 

'Having received advices which produce the doubt as to whether 
the Citizen General Juan N. Cortinas has ceased to exercise the 
government and military command of the State of Tamaulipas, 
and desiring to avoid the great evils consequent upon the prolong- 
ed absence of the first civil and military authority of the said 
State, the Citizen President of the Republic has thought proper to 
direct, that if the Citizen General Cortinas should have actually 
relinquished the exercise of said duties, as soon as you receive this 
communication, you enter upon the discharge of the same, as Gov- 
ernor and Military Commander of the State aforesaid : being here- 
by amply authorized to dispose of all the military forces within the 
same, of whatever denomination ; to organize and augment as far 
as possible the forces of the National Guards; to dispose of all 
revenues connected with the State, as well those properly belong- 
ing to the same, as those pertaining to the Federal Treasury, and 
to provide ways and means ; to arbitrate and decree such other im- 
posts as may be necessary in order to uphold the cause of the in- 
dependence and the institutions of the Republic. 

' I have the honor to communicate it to you as relates to the ap- 
pointment of Governor, and I transcribe the present to the Citizen 
Minister of War, that he may be pleased to transcribe it to you as 
far as relates to the military command.' 

"I transcribe it to you with the object aforesaid, and I transcribe 



26 

it to you as relates to the appointment of military command, and 
for the purpose attendant thereupon. 
" Liberty and Independence. 

" Chihuahua, November 8, 1864. 

"NEGRETE. 
*' To tlie Citizen General J. M. J. CarvajaV 

" The foregoing is a true copy of translation of my authority as 
Governor and Military Commander of the State of Tamaulipas. 
(Signed,) "JOSE M. J. CARVAJAL." 

The authenticity of the above translation and the original thereof 
is also attested by the certiticate of Juan N. Navarro, at that time 
the Consul-General of Mexico at New York. 

GENERAL CARVAJAL's AUTHORIZATION AS COMMISSIONER OF MEXICO TO 
OBTAIN MATERIAL AID AND RAISE FUNDS IN THE UNITED STATES. 

The following is General Carvajal's Commission, as translated 
by him for me, from the Mexican Government, which he had come 
to this country to execute, and under which he had entered into 
the agreements and covenants with me before mentioned : 
Ministry for Foreign " Having taken into consideration what 
Relations and Inter- you formerly proposed at the City of 
NAL Government; De- Monterey, and what you now further 
partment for Foreign propose through a commissioner, in refer- 
Relations, Section of ence to the fact that you can facilitate 
Chancery. the advent of foreigners to augment the 

forces that are to sustain the cause of the Republic; procuring at 
the same time arms and munitions of war ; and procuring likewise 
abroad the pecuniary resources which the realization of both these 
objects demand: — The Citizen President of the Republic, consider- 
ing that, by the occupation of Tampico and that which may have 
been efiected at the port of Matamoras, it is more expedient, under 
these circumstances, to admit foreigners in order to augment the 
National forces, having as one of their principal objects the recov- 
ery of those ports; and confiding in your ability and accredited 
patriotism, — has thought proper to direct in Cabinet Council, that 
you be authorized for the aforesaid objects under the following 
bases : 

^^First, That the number of foreigners you may engage for the 
service of the Republic shall be from one thousand to ten thousand. 



27 

with the understanding that, by the mere act of entering into the 
service, they shall be considered as citizens of Mexico, according 
to the laws now in force, and shall remain in all respects subject to 
the laws of the Republic. 

^'■Second, That the foreigners so engaged shall receive, during the 
term of service, the pay marked out for each class in the respective 
military tariffs of the Republic; having also a right, in conformity 
with the law of the 11th August of the present year, to receive the 
bounty allowed in the same, when their term of service shall have 
terminated, by having been disabled during the same, or by the 
actual termination of the foreign war. 

^^ Third, That you may contract for the purchase, at ordinary 
prices, of as many as forty thousand rifles or muskets for infantry, 
and as many as three thousand of the divers arms for cavalry ; as 
well as some batteries of rifled cannon and light or mountain ar- 
tillery, and a proportional quantity of munitions of war. 

'■'■Fourth, That in contracting for the purchase of arras and muni- 
tions, you may assign and obligate for their payment whatever may 
be necessary of the revenues of the State of Tamaulipas — as well 
those properly belonging to the State as those of the Federation 
collected within the same, — and the products of the ports on its 
coast; allowing to the contractors, if it be necessary, an interest at 
the rate of six per centum per annum, more or less, until such sums 
or loans shall have been paid ; having a right also to consign for 
said payment ['■pudiendo consignardis^ ) the product of duties from 
customs, with a discount not exceeding the maximum of what is 
customary in said parties, according to the latest authorization of 
the Government. 

^^ Fifth, That under the same obligation and consignment of the 
public revenues, and with the same concession and discount upon 
the duties from customs, according to what is expressed in the pre- 
ceeding bases, you may contract a loan in foreign countries to such 
an amount as you may consider necessary, according to the num- 
ber of foreigners that may be engaged, as well for defraying the ex- 
penses of their transportation to the Republic, as for the payment 
of their salaries for one or two years : provided, that the authority 
vested for contracting a loan shall have reference to that respect- 
ing the engagement.of foreigners ; that there may be a due propor- 
tion between the number of men engaged and the amount of the 
loan, in order to guard against the occurrence afterwards of serioua 



28 

difficulties for the" maintenance of the forces composed of the 
former. 

^' Sixth, That the obligations you may contract in the name of 
the Republic and of its Government shall be upon condition, that 
when said arms and munitions shall have actually arrived upon 
the territory of Mexico, then, and not before, shall such obligations 
be considered as perfect and obligatory; and when such amounts 
of said loan shall have actually been received, shall such obliga- 
tions be esteemed as perfect and binding on the Republic. 

^^ Seventh, That the foreigners that you may admit to come and 
render their services shall be incorporated with the forces under 
your command; the whole of them remaining subject to your 
orders. 

'■'■Eighth, That in the capacity of Chief of said forces, you shall 
have all the authority necessary for organizing them, and for con- 
ferring upon the militia or upon foreigners volunteering to serve, 
military commissions up to the rank of Colonel, as required by the 
organization, conferring such degrees as National Guards, or as 
Auxiliaries of the Army ; and also recognizing in said foreigners 
the degrees or rank they may have had in other countries; retain- 
ing or considering them, likewise, as belonging to the National 
Guards, or in the capacity of volunteers, or auxiliaries in the army 
— as you may direct at the time of recognizing the same. 

^'■Ninth, That in all that relates to the command of those forces 
which you shall have subject to your orders, and to their opera- 
tions in the field, you shall be subject only to the Supreme Gov- 
ernment, reporting directly to the same as General-in-Chief of forces 
in active service; although maintaining — as regards the authority, 
civil and military, whose territories said forces may pass over, especi- 
ally of the State of Tamaulipas, should you not be discharging the 
duties of Governor and Military Commander of the same — the 
necessary harmony, in conformity with what has been imparted to 
you in a separate communication. 

'■'■Tenth, That the period of one year, reckoning from this date, 
shall be the time in which you may, by virtue of the authorizations 
wherewith you are vested, contract for arms and munitions, as well 
as a loan, and admit foreigners into the service of the Republic; 
said especial authorizations now given you, relative to the three 
points above cited, ceasing to be in force after the expiration of one 
year : and I communicate it to you, recommending that you will 



29 

be pleased to transmit timely reports of what you may transact 
in view of these authorizations, 

" Liberty and Independence. , 

(Signed), " LERDO BE TEJADA. 

" Chihuahua, November 12th, 1864. 

"To the Citizen General J. M. J. Carvajal, Soto La Marina, or 
where he may be." 

" The foregoing is a true copy of translation of my authority 
from Supreme Government, for the purpose therein contained. 
(Signed), "JOSE M. J. CARVAJAL." 

To which Senor Juan N. Navarro, Consul-General of the Mexican 
Republic in the United States at that time, attached the annexed 
certificate : 

" Certifico que la firma anterior del C. Jose M. J. Carvajal es la 
misma que acostumbra usar en todos sus negocios. 

" NuEVA York, Mayo 16, de 1866. [seal.] 

(Signed), "JUAN N. NAVARRO." 

SENOR ROMERO, MEXICAN MINISTER TO THE UNITED STATES, IS DIRECTED 
TO EXERCISE CERTAIN POWERS AND AUTHORITI IN THE EXECUTION OF 
GENERAL CARVAJAL'S COMMISSION. 

The following is an extract from a dispatch addressed by Senor 
Lerdo de Tejada, Minister of Foreign Relations of the Mexican 
Republic, to Senor Romero, Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy 

Extraordinary, at Washington : 

» * * * * * ****** 

" The President has resolved that General Carvajal must proceed 
in concert with you, and that it is necessary that he may previously 
obtain your approval to what he may hereafter do in fultillraent of 
his authorization. With that purpose, besides your conforming 
yourself to the several instructions that I have communicated to 
you, or shall hereafter direct, you shall observe the following: 

'■''First. You shall approve what General Carvajal may do in due 
fulfihment of his authority, if you deem it advantageous to the 
cause of the Republic, — even should the act of the said General 
seem more onerous than any other arrangement pending, if the lat- 
ter have less probability of being realized, without a very injurious 
delay. 

'■'■ Second. It shall not be your duty to approve whatever General 
Carvajal might do in fulfillment of all his authorizations, or a part 



30 

thereof, in case that there should arise any difficulties in regard to 
another secret project, which, in your judgment, could have a suf- 
ficient probability of being performed with greater advantage. 

" Third. The Government relies on your patriotism, capacity and 
discretion ; and instructs you that, without omitting to try to pro- 
cure the best, you may choose among those agreements which, in 
your judgment, may not be absolutely bad, that one which shall 
offer a greater security, or more probability of being the soonest 

carried out. 

* « * * » * * 

[Signed,] "LERDO de TEJADA. 

«*Chihuahua, July 13, 1865." 

" I certify the foregoing to be a true translation of a part of an 
official dispatch ixom the Secretary of State of the Republic of 
Mexico, Senor Lerdo de Tejada, to General Jose M. J. Carvajal, 
transcribing the last instructions of the Mexican Government to 
its Minister Plenipotentiary, Senor M. Romero. 

"New York, October 2, 1865. 

[Signed,] "FRANCISCO ZARCO." 

"A true copy of translation. 

[Signed,] " CARVAJAL." 

I ADVISE MR. ROMERO OP MY SUCCESS IN PROCURING MUNITIONS, CHAR- 
TERING TRANSPORTS, ETC., AND HIS GRATIFICATION THEREAT. 

I proceeded with the work of preparing for shipment to General 
Carvajal the supplies I had so far obtained ; and on the morning 
of the 9th of July, advised Mr. Romero that I was now ready to 
ship to his country the first installment of the munitions I had suc- 
ceeded in purchasing for Mexican bonds, and had also engaged 
for their transportation, two steamers, likewise for bonds, and gave 
him full particulars of the favorable terms on which I had been 
able to effect these engagements, namely: that I had contracted 
with two responsible firms in New York City, at fair prices, for all 
the arras and other Ordnance stores, and with equally reliable es- 
tablishments for the medical and other stores required by General 
Carvajal (all of which contracts had already been approved by 
General Carvajal prior to his departure,) — amounting in the ag- 
gregate to over -^2,500,000 ; for all of which I had agreed to pay 
to the said vendors bonds of the Mexican Republic, at the rate of 



31 

sixty per centum of their par value, within sixty days after the de- 
livery of these stores to me in New York, — unless, as General Car- 
vajal himself had promised the vendors, he should be able to pay 
the cash for these purchases immediately on their receipt at Mata- 
moras. 

This information elicited expressions of surprise and gratification 
from Mr. Romero. My success had evidently been much greater 
than he had anticipated, for I observed that even then, in spi'e of 
these assurances of positive appreciable success, he was yet incred- 
ulous that actual tangible benefits would result from my endeavors 
to obtain aid on the credit of his country. His surprise increased 
when I informed him that 1 had effected a partial arrangement for 
the purchase of a small gunboat, fully equipped, which I believed 
would be of great service in assisting the recapture of Tampico, 
and which I had arranged to obtain for bonds at a reasonable price. 
I explained, that although requested by General Carvajal to pur- 
chase such a vessel, I nevertheless felt that to send a war-vessel 
from this country to aid the Mexican Government against its ene- 
mies, was a delicate transaction, requiring more extraordinary pre- 
caution than the simple shipment of arms in transports, and I there- 
fore desired to have his opinion respecting the policy of the pro- 
posed measure, and, if favorable, his consent. He promised an 
early answer, and was so pleased w4th the project that he instruct- 
ed me at once to ascertain the price of the vessel. 

now PERMISSION WAS OBTAINED OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT 
TO SHIP MUNITIONS TO MEXICO. 

To avoid the possibility of difficulty, and in accordance with my 
fixed purpose to engage in no enterprise disapproved of by my 
Government, T requested Mr. Romero to accompany me to a gen- 
tleman who at that time held a very high rank and position in the 
Army of the United States, with the object of apprising him of 
our contemplated enterprise, and, if possible, to obtain through him 
from our Government a certificate of permission to ship military 
stores from New York to Mexico, via Texas. Mr. Romero agreed 
to the propriety of this course, and arranged I should meet him at 
the office of the gentleman referred to, a few hours later. At this 
meeting I showed the Mexican Minister a dispatch just received 
from the owner of the gunboat, stating that he would sell me the 
vessel for ^88,000, United States currency, payable in Mexican 



32 

bonds at the authorized rate. After consulting with the Officer of 
whom I have been speaking, Mr. Romero directed me to purchase 
the gunboat, also some torpedoes, and send them to the Mexican 
Government The Officer then very kindly agreed to obtain from 
our Government, without delay, the requisite permit for the ship- 
ment of these purchases to Mexico, via Brownsville, Texas, and 
at the same time gave me a letter to facilitate my agent at the last 
named place. 

.1 have gone into these details that I might show how careful I 
was, in all these transactions, to violate no law of this country ; 
how fully I acted in accordance with Mr. Romero's instructions; 
and that he approved of alt I did. 

The promised permit from the Secretary of the Treasury for the 
shipment of supplies from this country to Mexico was received by 
me, in New York, July 11th, and was as follows: 

" Treasury Department, 
Washington, D. C, July 10, 1866. 

"*SiV: Your letter of this date is received, requesting permission 
to ship from New York to Brownsville, Texas, in transitu, for a 
foreign market, certain Ordnance and Ordnance Stores, as specified 
in an invoice enclosed therewith. 

'' In reply, you are respectfully informed that the matter has been 
duly considered, and in accordance with the determination arrived 
at on the subject, you are hereby permitted to ship the said articles 
as requ(>sted by you, of which permission the Collector at New 
York has been duly notified. 

"Yours very respectfully, 
(Signed,) ''H. M'CULLOCH, 

Secretary of the Treasury. 
"iJ. >Stwm, Esq., Neic York:' 

MR. ROMERO IS NOTIFIED THAT I AM RK DY TO SHIP THE FIRST CARGO 
OF MUMTIOKS to MEXICO. 

On the 14th of July, I notified Mr. Romero, by post, that the 
steamer "J. W. Everman," one of the two steamers chartered by 
me, would be ready to sail from New York in a few days, with a 
cargo of military stores for the Mexican army, and at the same 
time requested him to notify the Mexican officers whom he desir- 
ed, as he had stated to me, to take passage on this vessel to report 
to me without delay. To which Mr. Romero replied, next day ; 



33 

" I have received your letter of yesterday. I request the officers 
who are awaiting transportation to Brownsville to report to you at 
the time and place appointed. I am glad to hear that matters are 
going on well, and expect to have a more detailed account of your 
operations." 

SHIPMENT OF A CARGO OF MUNITIONS TO MATAMORAS. 

In fulfillment of my promise to the Mexican Minister, the steam- 
er " Everman," on the 26th of July, sailed from the harbor of New 
York for Mataraoras, with a large and assorted cargo of munitions, 
and taking out to Mexico Major-General Lewis Wallace, several 
other citizens of this country — who had been engaged by General 
Carvajal — and a number of Mexican officers, whom Senor Romero 
took this means of returning to their country. The ship and cargo, 
in pursuance of General Carvajal's direction, were in charge of his 
Private Secretary, Mr. Wilbur F. Stocking, as Supercargo. 

I did not permit this event to transpire without making the most 
of it. The "Everman" was escorted to sea by two steam tugs, 
containing a large number of prominent citizens of this country, 
who cheered the departing ship: to be brief, no means were spared 
by me to surround this occasion — the first tangible public proof of 
the success of my efforts, after contending for long months with 
discouraging obstacles — with all possible eclat. I sent the muni- 
tions to Mexico to be used against her enemies ; I sought to make 
capital out of this success in the United States, by arousing pop- 
ular enthusiasm in behalf of the cause I was striving to aid. 

GRATIFYING INFLUENCE OF THE LAST MENTIONED SUCCESS. 

The successful shipment of this cargo from the chief city of the 
United States, with all the attendant circumstances of any legiti- 
mate enterprise, was a blow to the enemies of the cause of the 
Mexican Republic. The journals of the country proclaimed the 
event to the people, in all its details, conspicuously, and with edit- 
orial comments. Many of them declared that Mexican prospects 
were brightening, and Mexican credit rapidly gaining, and ener- 
getically advocated the cause; while those who had been hostile 
from the first did the cause an equally good service, by changing 
their former tone of ridicule or derision to one of seriousness, and 
anticipating the despatch of more vessels on similar missions, call- 
3 



34 ^ 

ed upon the Government to interfere and prohibit the event from 
being followed by others of a like character. 

The shipment of this cargo, by reason of the publicity given the 
occurrence, had, also, another gratifying influence. The people of 
the United States, ignorant of the means I had employed to obtain 
these supplies, and the vessel that bore them, became persuaded 
that the financial resources of Mexico must be much greater than 
common report had allowed, and the credit of the Mexican nation 
suddenly gained largely in the public estimation. I need not say 
I was very much gratified at this, for it was the resillt I had hoped 
and labored for from the beginning. It mattered not that the aid 
had been obtained by all sorts of shifts and expedients, and with 
no better security for payment than mere promises to deliver Mexi- 
can promises to pay, sixty days after the sailing of this vessel, in- 
stead of payment in cash ; the eflect on the public mind was all the 
same ; the credit of the Mexican Republic was exalted from its 
previous low estate. 

MR. Romero's gratification at the result or my effokts. 

The departure of the "Everman'' I at once communicated to 
Senor Romero, and the gratification of that gentleman at this in- 
telligence can best be shown by the following extract from his let- 
ter of reply : 

* * * * * * * ***** 

"I have just received your favor of yesterday, by which I am in- 
formed that, on Thursday last, the steamer 'Everman' left New 
York for Brazos, with a cargo of arms and munitions for the Mexi- 
can forces on the Rio Grande. 

"I am glad to have this news that I communicate to my Gov- 
ernment." 

* »* ** *« «* **» 

THE MEXICAN MINISTER'S SOLICITUDE FOR SUCCESS. 

On the 1st of August, Mr. Romero sent to me another Mexican 
officer, to be provided with a passage to his country on the next 
vessel I should dispatch there, the " Suwanee ;" by which vessel 1 
^vas expecting to transmit, in a few days, another cargo of muni- 
tions to General Carvajal, at Matamoras. And on the same day, 
the Mexican Minister wrote to me as follows: — 



35 

" I was sorry to see what the World published day before yes- 
terday. Will that do any harm ? " 

[The Mexican Minister here refers to the account given in the 
New York World, of the sailing of the "Evennan;" which was 
anything but unfriendly in its nature, but which he nevertheless 
feared might, for other reasons, have a prejudicial effect. I have 
introduced this, with other extracts from Mr. Romero's correspond- 
ence, of no particular importance in themselves, to show that the 
Mexican Minister at that time attached great importance to the 
enterprises I was engaged in, and was very solicitous for their suc- 
cess ; although, since the fortunate termination of the war for the 
overthrow of the Empire, a portion of the Mexican press and the 
Government of that country seem to have indifferently appreciated 
the value of the aid I was instrumental in obtaining for their 
cause]. 

THE GUNBOAT " SHERIDAN" FITTED OUT AND SENT TO MEXICO. 

On the 6th of August, after encountering a variety of difficulties 
in fitting out that vessel for her voyage, I at length succeeded in 
dispatching the gunboat " Sheridan" to Brazos, thence to be de- 
livered to the Mexican Government. The vessel had on board the 
persons selected by General Carvajal for her officers and crew after 
her arrival in Mexican waters, and whom he had expressly directed 
me to send out with the vessel. 

REVIVAL OF OLD OBSTACLES, AND NEW ONES ADDED. 

The success of this enterprise, following so close upon the dis- 
patch of the cargo of supplies by the " Everman," set the hostile 
influences to work again ; and as frequently happens v/ith unscru- 
pulous enemies, they endeavored to effect by stratagem what other 
means had proven insufficient to accomplish. The chiefs and re- 
presentatives of the discontented Mexican factions then in this 
country — such as Ortega and Santa Anna, — in order to defeat our 
efforts and advance their own selfish aspirations, caused various 
unfounded rumors to be put into circulation. These malcontents, 
among other resorts, endeavored to destroy Mexican credit — the 
little that had been with so much difficulty manufactured — by 
pointing out the difficulty of determining who were the legally 
authorized agents of Mexico in this country ; and by disseminat- 



36 

ing the false report that there had lately arrived here an agent from 
the Mexican Government, empowered to make purchases for gold 
that he had with him; expecting thereby to disable me from obtain- 
ing on a dubious credit what another had the ready money to pay 
for. The report was apparently verified by the fact that a person 
(either Mexican or Spanish) claiming to be such agent had indus- 
triously busied himself in calling at most of the principal houses 
dealing in arms in New York city, including some of the houses I 
was negotiating with, inquiring the prices for munitions, which he 
said he wanted to purchase for Mexico, and offering the cash for 
them, and so forth, — causing me no little annoyance; and to satisfy 
myself I wrote to Mr. Romero, asking to be informed of the truth 
or falsity of the rumor, and recommending that if Mexico had more 
than one agent in this country for the purchase of supplies, they 
should work in concert and not in competition with one another, 
for a common purpose. To which Mr. Romero replied on the 8th 
August : — 

" I notice what you say about your steps to make further pur- 
chases, and the difficulties under which you have to labor. Your 
letter will be transmitted to the Mexican Government. I know of 
nobody sent to New York, or any other place in this country, by 
General Escobedo or any other officer of the Mexican Army ; ivith 
or ivithout funds. 

" / am sure I should know about it had any agent been sentP 

With this letter from Senor Romero, I at once called on the dif- 
ferent parties with whom I was negotiating, as also on other deal- 
ers in arms, and endeavored to convince them that the afore-men- 
tioned rumor, as well as the pseudo agent, was only a part of the 
many intrigues of the enemies of the Mexican Government to de- 
feat the success of the Liberal cause in that country. 

THE CARGO OF THE "SUWANEE." 

On the 14th August, 1866, I notified Mr. Romero that the 
steamer " Suwanee," one of the vessels engaged by me, in the 
month of May previous, to carry munitions to General Carvajal, 
was being loaded with her cargo, and would be ready to sail for 
Brazos during the following week. 

In the meanwhile I bad effected arrangements in Philadelphia 



37 



for the purchase of two batteries of artillery, to be paid for with 
Mexican bonds, at the authorized rate of sixty per centum of their 
par value, on the delivery of the artillery to me in that city. 



FINANCIAL TROUBLES. 



But here a new difficulty arose, resulting from that chief source 
of all my embarrassments in this service — the poverty of financial 
resources, and the want of Mexican credit. On presenting at the 
house of Corliss & Co. the drafts of General Carvajal, for the bonds 
required for the purchase of these batteries, they declined to furnish 
them to me at that time, assigning two reasons : they had not a 
sufficient amount in their possession, and some time would be re- 
quired to get them ready; and, though they could not but acknowl- 
edge the validity of the drafts, they y&t must decline to dispose, 
except for cash, of any of the Mexican bonds dated prior to Octo- 
ber 1st, 1866, since, in their agreement with General Carvajal by 
which they had become the Agents of the Mexican Government 
for the sale of its bonds, they had undertaken to guaranty till the 
above date the interest of all bonds dated prior thereto ; for which 
guaranty they had expected to secure themselves out of the funds 
obtained by them from cash sales of bonds, but had not yet been 
able to realize any money in that way. They refused to deliver, 
except for money, any bonds of an earlier date than October 1st 
1866, without additional security for the interest to that time. 

I at once wrote to Mr. Romero, informing him of my success in 
arranging for the artillery purchases at Philadelphia, and stating 
the necessity of having the bonds in readiness immediately on the 
delivery of these purchases ; and not receiving a reply as promptly 
as I deemed the importance of the subject required, I first ascer- 
tained by telegraph that Mr. Romero was in Washington, and then 
hastened there to confer with him. 

On the 18th I had two long interviews with the Mexican Minis- 
ter, in which I again recapitulated the immense difficulties of pro- 
curing supplies on Mexican credit. I therefore urged the necessity 
of prompt and business-like action on our part whenever opportu- 
nities for making favorable contracts should present themselves ; 
and argued how great would be the gain to the cause by settling 
for contracts as fast as made, leaving nothing open, and thus avoid- 
ing a fruitful source of trouble and detriment to the cause. Mr. 



38 

Uomero, in reply, expressed his concurrence in the wisdom of my 
suggestions, but remarked that, under the circumstances, Messrs. 
Corliss & Co., by their agreement with General Carvajal, were not 
bound to deliver, before October 1st, 1866, except for cash, any of 
the bonds they had been authorized to issue. And though it had 
been his policy not to interfere in the arrangements of General 
Carvajal, who had derived his powers from the Mexican Govern- 
ment direct, y^t, having promised that officer, on his return to Mex- 
ico, to assist me in carrying out his plans, and seeing the necessity 
of my being provided with bonds at this time to enable me to make 
the needed purchases, he would depart from his accustomed policy, 
and, without waiting for special instructions from his Government, 
give me an order on Corliss & Co. to furnish me at once the bonds I 
required : provided that I would promise, as soon as I should have 
despatched the cargo now being prepared to General Carvajal, to 
send supplies to such other officers of the Mexican service as he 
should designate, and in regard to which he would give me his own 
particular instructions. In reply, I assured Mr. Romero that, as 
the Agent of the Mexican Republic, I would always be ready to 
ship such supplies as I might be able to obtain, to whatever point 
that Government should direct ; that my agreement with General 
Carvajal, and his instructions to me, did not contemplate that I 
should provide for that officer only, but for the Republic at large; 
and I would cheerfully endeavor to procure and ship munitions to 
whatever place he might designate. Mr. Romero, after expressing 
his pleasure at what he termed my " readiness to serve his Gov- 
ernment in all things," said, that as it wanted but six weeks of the 
first of October, he would order the house of Corliss & Co. to de- 
liver me now, on the draft I had received from General Carvajal, 
the bonds required, dated October 1st, 1866, and bearing interest 
from that time ; hoping, that for the few days' interest on the bonds 
between the tim.e of their delivery and date, I would be able to 
satisfactorily arrange with contracting parties. 

FURTHER CALLS PROM MEXICO FOR ASSISTANCE. 

On my return to New York, Senor Don Justo Benitez and General 
Pedro de Baranda reported to me with letters from Mr. Romero, in- 
troducing them as Commissioners from General Diaz, Commander 
of the Eastern Military Division of Mexico, by whom they had been 
sent here to obtain supplies, and which he desired me to procure and 
ship as soon as practicable. 



39 

These gentlemen explained to me the utter destitution of their 
country of material of war ; and how greatly the supplies they were 
here to seek, would contribute to shorten and successfully terminate 
the war; and urged me to return them home with as large a quan- 
tity of military stores as I might be able to procure, as soon as 
possible. 

AN ORDER FOR BONDS. 

On the morning of the 22d August, I received from Mr. Romero 
this communication : 

" Washington, August 19th, 1866. 
" General H. Sturm, New York: 

'■'■Dear Sir — I enclose to you, as agreed upon yesterday, an order 
to Messrs. John W. Corliss & Co., to deliver to you ^100,000 in 
Mexican bonds. Enclosed you will find your instructions. Please 
ask Mr. Mariscal, or Mr. Fuentes* (of the Mexican Consulate-Gene- 
ral at New York) to translate them for you. 

" I am instructed to write all ofRcial letters in Spanish. 

" I also enclose to you General Carvajal's order. 

" Respectfully yours, M. ROMERO." 

INSTRUCTIONS FROM MR. ROMERO CONCERNING THE PURCHASE AND 
SHIPMENT OF MUNITIONS. 

The instructions inclosed by Mr. Romero in the above communi- 
cation, were as follow: — 

" Washington, August 19th, 1866. 
Mexican Legation "After duly considering what you 

IN THE stated to me in the two interviews 

United States of America, which we held yesterday, in rela- 
tion to the need you feel of having a sum of Mexican bonds to 
your credit, to make the purchases of articles of war which you 
propose to send to the Republic, in conformity with your instruc- 
tions — since many of the vendors are not willing to accept the 
terms you have offered them, of giving them the bonds sixty days 
after the arrival out of their goods, and since, at times, the delay of 
a single day in the delivery might impede the conclusion of advan- 

■"•■Mr. Mariscal was At tliat time Secretary of the Mexican Logatidii in Washington, and is the 
prenont Mexican Minister to this country. Mr. FucntoB is at present a member of the Mexican 
Cougresi. 



40 

tageous contracts (as in the case of that of Mr. Jenks, which you 
referred to,) — I have come to the conclusion to order that one hun- 
dred thousand dollars in bonds be delivered to you, on account of 
the million and one half dollars that General Carvajal ordered to 
be given you, under date of the 12th September, 1865, which draft 
you showed me yesterday. 

" You will find herein enclosed an order to Messrs. John W. 
Corliss & Co., holders of the bonds, that they may deliver to you 
the sum aforesaid. When you may have disposed of said sum, I 
shall give you an order for another equal sum ; which course I 
think shall avoid many of those difficulties you have so far en- 
countered to make your contracts. 

" In setting at your disposal the sum referred to, I think it fit to 
state in writing the instructions I had previously given you verb- 
ally, adding some others which my experience of what has hap- 
pened suggests as necessary, and to which you should bind your- 
self in the purchases you are about to make. Said instructions 
are thus : — 

" 1. You shall not buy anything which you have no means of 
transporting to the Republic, as no goods would be of any use to 
us if they were to remain in this country. 

" 2. You shall offer for such purchases as you may make only 
bonds of those signed by General Carvajal, giving them at sixty 
per centum — nothing less — and when these goods may be bought 
at market prices. 

" 3. You shall endeavor to your utmost possibility to insert in the 
contracts you may enter into, the following clause : 

'The shipment shall be made for the port of , in the name of the vendors, 

as their own property, who shall provide for their transport and the rest that may 
be necessary, till the goods reach their destination and be delivered to a loyal 
Mexican officer; in which case, and no sooner, they shall become the property of 
the Mexican Government.' 

"4. You shall give preference to the arms of all classes in the 
following order : 

" I. Guns, rifled or unrifled. 

"XL Carbines. 

"III. Pistols. 

"IV. Sabers. 

" V. Light Mountain artillery. 

« VI. Field Artillery. 



4X 

" 5. You shall endeavor that each remittance be well provided 
with the greatest possible amount of ammunition suitable to the 
arms that be then remitted; and in case they may not be attain- 
able, you shall send at least the powder and lead necessary to make 
said ammunitions, and the greatest possible number of caps, which 
are extremely scarce all over the country. 

"6. You may buy any clothes or stuff to make it (meaning by 
'it' the ' clothes '), provided you may buy it (the 'stuff') here at 
lower prices than could be obtained in the place of the Republic 
where they be bound. As a general rule, I tell you that our 
soldiers are almost entirely clad with light cotton or linen goods. 

"7. The same rule shall apply as to provisions. The base for 
the feeding of the Mexican soldier is Indian corn, and this is scarce^ 
only sometimes, along the frontier; it abounds in the interior, and 
freight would raise it to a fabulous price, if sent from here. 

"8. You shall pay special attention to avoid the purchase of 
articles which may be considered necessary for the United States 
army, which would be as articles of luxury for our army — such as 
camp tents, shoes, stockings, coffee, etc., etc. 

"9. Before signing each contract, you shall send a copy of it for 
my approval. 

"10. You shall pay preferent attention to fit out a load of arms 
and ammunitions for the 'East Army Corps.' General Baranda 
and Mr. Benitez, commissioners from Generals Garcia and Diaz, 
shall inform you of what is most needed in those States, and also 
of the place where the ship conveying said goods should be directed. 

"11. When you shall have disposed of the bonds now put at 
your disposal, you shall forward me the account thereof with the 
proper vouchers, that I may order to your credit another sum. 

"12. You shall not buy any other ship, without express orders 
from the Mexican Government. 

"Such are the instructions which I deem sufficient for the pres- 
ent, and which I shall extend when I deem it convenient. 
" I remain, truly yours, 
(Signed,) "M.ROMERO. 

''To General H. Sturm, New York:' 

AN ORDER FOR BONDS. 

Accompanying these instructions was the annexed order oa 

Messrs. Corliss & Co.: 



42 

" Washington, D. C, August 19, 1866. 

^"Mexican Legation, "Please set at the disjjosal of 

IN thp: General H. Sturm, Commissioner 

United States of America, of General Carvajal, to make pur- 
chases of arms and articles of war, the amount of One Hundred 
Thousand Dollars (-'$100,000,) in Mexican bonds, of those which 
you have in possession, and on account of the Million and'a Half Dol- 
lars that said General Carvajal drew on you to the order of Gen- 
eral Sturm, under date af September 12th, 1865. 

" Yours, very truly, 
[Signed,] "M. ROMERO. 

« To Messrs. J. W. Corliss, Sf Co., 

57 Broadwaij, New York.''^ 

I PROCURE FPOM MR. ROMERO A MODIFICATION OF UIS INSTRUCTIONS. 

Although these instructions, last above given, would have done 
well enough had I been provided with the cash to" pay for stores 
immediately on their purchase, they were by no means adapted to 
existing circumstances — especially clauses three and nine; and 
knowing that Mr. Romero was unfamiliar with the practical re- 
quirements of such matters, I called his attention to the inadequa- 
cies of his instructions, and asked a modification of these two 
clauses. To which Mr. Romero, under date of August 23d, 1866, 

replied : 

************ 

"All you state in regard to clause three of my aforesaid instruc- 
tions seems to me quite reasonable, but I don't deem it sufficient 
to either omit or alter it. In the first place, / did not make it a 
binding condition that you should put the stipulation therein mention- 
ed in all contracts that you may enter into; hut that you should earn- 
estly endeavor to do so, to your utmost possibility: granting so to 
your discretion a most ample freedom." * * * * 

" Clause nine of said instructions has also been suggested by my 
Government, that — with the object of preventing abuses that might 
find room* in making purchases — is willing that I should interfere 
in them all. I do not think that I could give any greater proof of 
my confidence in you than the one of placing at your disposal a 



*An awkward translation, by which is meant, "for the purpose of correcting abunes that might 
occur," etc. These and otlier lilce incxpiessive or ungrammatical expressions in Mr Komero's cor- 
regjiou'lsnee which I quote, are due to the errors of the translator, Mr. Fueutes. 



43 

considerable amount of money, as I did in bonds. I feel also 
confident enough of yourself, being assured that in all your pur- 
chases you shall act with your characteristic good faith and honesty: 
but as I deem it not convenient to depart from my Government's 
orders, or setting a precedent that might hereafter be alleged solic- 
iting alike* proofs of confidence, I do not consider myself author- 
ized to except you from that requisite. Wishing, however, to facil- 
itate as much as possible the purchases you are authorized to make, 
T condescend! ^^ have that clause altered in the following terms: 

'Before signing such contracts, a copy thereof shall be submitted 
to me for my approval. Whenever, in your judgment, it would 
not be possible to wait the time necessary for said requisite approv- 
al, without serious disadvantage to the interest of the Mexican Gov- 
ernment, you may obtain, instead of my own approbation, that of 
the Mexican Consul at New York: or, in case he should be absent, 
that of such person as he may designate.' 

" I think that such addition will remove all difficulties that you 
have indicated. 

" I am, sir, yours, etc., 
[Signed,] "M. ROMERO. 

" General H. Sturm, Neiu York^ 

A REQUEST TO SEND MUNITIONS TO THE PACIFIC COAST OF MEXICO. 

These modified instructions were accompanied by the following 
letter of transmission, which came to hand August 25th. 

" Washington, August 24, 1866. 
" General H. Sturm, New York : 

" Dear Sir — I received yesterday your letter of the 22d inst. 1 
suppose the translation of my letter to you of the 19th inst. was 
not very correct, at least in instruction No. 3, as you will see by 
reading my oi^ficial reply to your said letter. I did not ask you to 
insert in all contracts that stipulation, but to do so as far as it 
was practicable, in your judgment. 

" It would be very desirable to send arms and ammunition to the 
Pacific Coast. There are several States on that coast which are 
entirely unprovided, and where arms would be of the greatest use. 
Any amount of arms of any kind would be very valuable. 

^MoaninR, "liko proofs," oto. 

tl'ho translator means to say, "I consent," etc. 



44 

" Governor J. J. Baz knows very well that coast and the officers 
who have their head-quarters there. I have requested him, there- 
fore, to see you and inform you of what is needed, and what is the 
best way of sending it, and where. 

" Should you be able to make a shipment there, I would be de- 
lighted. 

" In great hurry, yours, 

«M. ROMERO." 

To proceed with the account of my progress in procuring sup- 
plies for Mexico. As before stated, the " Suwanee " had been duly 
fitted out for her voyage, and was being loaded with her cargo of 
munitions for General Carvajal. I next proceeded with all dili- 
gence to make the necessary arrangements for dispatching to Gen- 
eral Diaz the supplies requested by Mr. Romero, and concerning 
which his Commissioners, before named, had been sent to this 
country. For this purpose, and in compliance with the instructions 
of Mr. Romero to secure means of transportation before purchas- 
ing supplies, I chartered the steamer "Vixen," and had succeeded 
in contracting for a large quantity of military stores on favorable 
terms, when information came from Matamoras that arrested my 
progress, and again imperiled the cause. 

A NEW PERIL MY FIRST CARGO OF STORES SEIZED BY REVOLTERS 

AT MATAMORAS. 

On the date last above mentioned, despatches were received 
from Brownsville, Texas, by the parties ^vho had furnished the 
stores taken out by the " Everman," conveying the intelligence that 
immediately on the delivery of the cargo of that vessel at Mata- 
moras, the army officers in that city, under the command of Gen- 
eral Carvajal, had revolted, deposed their commander, — who barely 
escaped with his life over the frontier into Texas — seized the cargo 
of the vessel, and refused either to pay for the goods, or furnish a 
receipt for them. The correspondents further stated that they ver- 
ily believed the cargo had been thus seized in pursuance of a pre- 
concerted understanding with the Agent in this country, — a pre- 
determined plan to swindle the vendors of the goods by concocting 
a sham revolution, under cover of which the Mexican authorities 
might appropriate them and yet avoid payment. 



45 

MY EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE MEXICAN GOVERN- 
MENT IN THE ABOVE CARGO. 

Mr. Stocking, the Supercargo of the "Everman," sent me by 
telegraph an account of the revolt at Matamoras and seizure of 
the cargo of that steamer, and asking instructions. As evidence 
of my solicitude for the success of the cause of the Mexican Re- 
public, and to show ray endeavors to subserve the interests of the 
Legitimate Government of that country in the present exigency, I 
will quote the instructions I sent to Mr. Stocking on the receipt of 
his message : 

" New York, August 22, 1866. 

^'■Dear Sir — Your letter dated Brownsville, August lo^i, inform- 
ing me that you have claimed the protection of the American 
Consul for the cargo, etc., was received yesterday, and I hasten to 
reply to it, so you may receive it in time. I am glad you acted as 
you did, as it is of importance that these goods are not used against 
Juarez or Carvajal. But under no circumstances do anythino- 
without written orders from General Carvajal ; and above all, 
get a full receipt from him for everything, as this is the only way 
to insure prompt payment to the parties who sold the goods. 

" You say Canales assured you that he would carry out any ar- 
rangements made with General Carvajal, and would pay for these 
goods or return them. Unless General Carvajal orders you to do 
this, have nothing' to do ivith Canales. He has placed himself in 
antagonism to the lawful authority. The arms, etc., sent out by me 
are the property of the Mexican Government, and I have no rio-ht 
to sell them to any one, especially to a person who has usurped 
authority, and who, as I verily believe, is in league with Orteo-a 
and others, and is, at all events, a traitor to his Government. 

" If the arms are taken by force, or kept by Canales in such a 
way that you can not recover them, you must take written affida- 
vits of this fact, signed and attested by the American Consul, and 
other American officers of prominence there, but above all, by Gen- 
eral Carvajal, who is the only lawful authority there, and who. al- 
though at present forcibly removed, is still recognized by the Gov- 
ernment as such. 

******* 

" Yours in haste, 

"H. STURM. 
" W. F. Stocking, Esq., Supercargo, etc., Brownsville, Texas.''' 



46 

EFFORTS TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN MEXICAN CREDIT. 

Foreseeing how this occurrence and the construction that had 
been given it, if not at once contradicted, would bring tlie Mexican 
cause into dishonor in this country, and utterly destroy its credit, I 
hastened to see those of whom I had made purchases and with 
whom I was negotiating for supplies, to counteract the effects of the 
damaging impression that Mexico had never intended to keep faith 
with her creditors, and that General Carvajal's obligations would 
be repudiated. I labored to convince them that the affair at Mata- 
moras was a real local sedition against the authority of the Mexi- 
can Government, not a premeditated procedure suggested or con- 
nived at by that Government ; and that the obligations of that gov- 
ernment to its creditors in this country, incurred under General 
Carvajal's authority, would be honorably observed. 

I lost no time in communicating to Mr. Romero the intelligence 
I had received of the Matamoras aflkir, and the prejudicial inter- 
pretation that had been given it ; admonishing him of the ruinous 
effect it would have on our undertakings, if not immediately and 
authoritatively contradicted, and urging him — if the "Suwanee's" 
cargo was to be completed, if the partial arrangements already 
made to send supplies to General Diaz were to proceed any further, 
if, in short, what had already been done was not to be wholly lost, 
and future efforts to obtain assistance in this country for Mexico, 
rendered wholly impossible, — to promptly furnish me, over his own 
name, and for his Government, an emphatic assurance that the 
Mexican Government would inviolably fulfill all its obligations in- 
curred by General Carvajal and myself, under our authority. 

MINISTER Romero's written pledge of his government's deter- 
mination TO KEEP strict GOOD FAITH WITH AMERICAN CREDITORS. 

Mr. Romero replied under date of the 26th August, saying: — 

" I regret very much that events have occurred there which are 
calculated to disturb the confidence the merchants, who are willing 
to sell you articles of war for the Mexican Government, ought to 
have in our ability to fulfill our contracts. I look upon the late 
occurrences at Matamoras as of a very transitory nature, and which 
will be remedied as soon as the Mexican Government will be able 
to come to Monterey; which I have no doubt will soon be done. I 



47 

think it is unnecessary for me to tell you that you may infor7n all 
interested parties, that any contract that you have entered into or you 
may hereafter enter into, as agent of General Carvajal for the pur- 
chase of supplies, and ivhich has been approved, or ivill be approved, 
by me, 2vUl be binding upon the Mexican Government, and ivill be 
faithfully carried out on our part, as Ave do not mean to bind our- 
selves to anything that we are not sure we have the ability to 
fulfill. 

LOST GROUND PARTIALLY REGAIM'-D. 

Adding to this reassuring pled.ge of the Mexican Minister my 
own protestations of unqualified reliance in the good faith of the 
Mexican Government, I succeeded to a considerable extent in re- 
storing the confidence that had been so nearly destroyed by the 
tidings that came from Mataraoras. 

FURTHER CALLS FOR AID FROM MEXICO. 

On the 28th August Governor Baz, another Commissioner sent 
to this country by the Mexican Government in quest of supplies, 
reported to me with a letter from Mr. Romero introducing him and 
acquainting me with his mission, which was to obtain a cargo of 
arms and other munitions for the army in the " Southern part of 
Mexico, bordering on the Pacific." Mr. Romero closed his letter 
introducing Governor Baz with this expression : " I hope you may 
be able to send there a large cargo, notwithstanding the recent 
diflSculties."* 

THK KXTREMITIES OF THE MEXICAN CAUSE. 

I explained to Governor Baz, who, as I had been informed by 
Mr. Romero, was a former Governor of the State of Michoacan, 
and one of the most prominent citizens of his country, the manifold 
difficulties of obtaining supplies on Mexican credit. On which he 
depicted the utter destitution of his country in respect of arms and 
other munitions — especially of powder — the precarious condition 
of President Juarez and the Mexican Republic, and urged me to 
spare no efforts to obtain and send 1o his country the aid of which 
it was in such pressing need. 

'Beferriiig to the afTuir at MatuniornB, aud \\n damage* toMexiciin credit jd this couDtry. 



48 

THE OBSTACLES TO S^UCCESS. 

These solicitations I strove to gratify ; but opposing difficulties 
were more numerous and discouraging than before. The affair at 
Matamoras was an opportunity not neglected by the enemies of 
the cause, to discourage the citizens of this country from furnish- 
ing assistance on the unsafe security of Mexican bonds ; and the 
factious chiefs, inimical to President Juarez, then in the United 
States, eagerly seized this opportunity to defeat the measures for 
aiding the Republic, and issued proposals for loans in the interest 
of their own ambitious projects, — of whom may be mentioned the 
mischievous Santa Anna, who issued bonds and tried to negotiate 
them ; a fresh attempt to sell the old issues by General Ochoa; and 
the unprincipled Woodhouse concern, who threw their unauthor- 
ized bonds on the market. The spies of these unscrupulous oppo- 
nents assiduously advised themselves of my operations, and would 
seek these of whom they had ascertained I was trying to obtain 
supplies, and work upon their suspicions to defeat my negotiations. 
The facts about the condition and prospects of the Republic were 
an almost insurmountable barrier to my efforts ; but the enemies of 
Mexico sought to make the obstructions impassable by exaggera- 
ting the truth and inventing falsehoods. Nevertheless, by the aid of 
numerous influential acquaintances, formed during the late war, 
and by an unsparing use of my own private means, I succeeded in 
inducing quite a number of persons to furnish me supplies on Mex- 
ican credit. 

A FRESH SOURCE OF HINDRANCE AND VEXATION. 

But the road to success in my labors was to be waylaid with dif- 
ficulties to the end; I overcame one frustrating agency to presently 
come upon others. Knowing how precarious was Mexican credit; 
how favorable contracts for goods undelivered and unpaid for 
might at any moment be broken by unfavorable reports and the 
persistent eflforts of intriguing enemies, — I went to the office of the 
Mexican Consul in New York to have my recent contracts approv- 
ed, as Mr. Romero had authorized, whenever time might be too im- 
portant to permit, without prejudice to the cause, the delay of 
waiting for such approval by himself. But the Consul declined to 
take such responsibility, for the want of what he called the requi- 
site "information " from Mr. Romero — meaning direct instructions. 



49 

And when I proposed that he telegraph the Mexican Minister for 
the authority to do what was so urgently required, I was informed 
that Mr. Romero had left Washington as one of the Presidential 
party that had gone on an excursion to Chicago, to participate in 
the ceremonies of laying the corner-stone of the Douglas monu- 
ment. The Consul, not seeming to appreciate the danger of delay 
as I did, advised me to await the Minister's return. But I was 
apprehensive of the consequences of delay, and so endeavored to 
communicate with Mr. Romero by sending telegraphic messages to 
his address at several places in the programme of the Excursionists. 
Finally, on September 4th, at Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Romero sent 
me a telegram, saying: 

" As I was so much engaged before I left Washington, I could 
not communicate to Doctor Navarro* the instructions I gave you 
about the participation he might have in your purchases. I beg 
of you to show him the two letters of instruction that I gave you 
in August last, and that will be all that is required." 

I took this message and the instructions referred to therein to 
the Consul ; who still declined to assume the requested responsi- 
bility, until he should be furnished a direct order from Mr. Romero 
securing him in the assumption of a duty not appertaining to the 
functions of a Consul, but of a Minister. At this interview a num- 
ber of officials of high position and influence in the Mexican Gov- 
ernment advised me to close the contracts, without awaiting the 
formality of the Minister's approval ; as they felt sure he would 
sanction this course on his return, since the contracts were on 
favorable terms, in pursuance of Mr. Romero's instructions, de- 
signed to obtain for Mexico the aid so greatly needed, and since 
embarrassments might at any moment arise, making further pur-^ 
chases still more diflicult if not impossible. 

But as this indisposition of the Mexican Consul and other offi^- 
cials of that country to interest themselves in the importance of 
the exigency that had arisen, or take any responsibility in behalf 
of the cause, impressed me unfavorably, I was more than ever be- 
fore disinclined to exceed my instructions; proposing that respon-- 
sibility for the consequences that might ensue should rest where 
it properly belonged. 

«The Mexican Consul-Gc'Dcral at Nov Yorl:. 



50 

I however again communicated with Mr. Romero about the 
approval of contracts, and on the 7th September, he replied from 
Chicago, stating he would leave there that evening for Washing- 
ton, where he expected to arrive in a few days. 

THE EFFECTS OF THE DELAY OF THE MEXICAN AUTHORITIES IN THE 
APPROVAL OF CONTRACTS. 

The result of this delay was, that nearly every pending engage- 
ment for supplies was lost — twenty-eight different contracts, drawn 
up in triplicate, on very favorable terms, and wanting only the Min- 
ister's approval to be binding on the vendors : and the departure of 
the two steamers then under charter, and waiting for the cargoes 
these contracts were intended to supply, was still further delayed, 

TERMINATION OF GENERAL CARVAJAl'S' COMMISSION IN THIS COUN- 
TRY MINISTER ROMERO SUCCEEDS TO ALL OF GENERAL CARVAJAL's* 

POWERS AND DUTIES UNDER THE LATTEr's COMMISSION. 

On the receipt of Mr. Romero's dispatch of the 7th, I wrote to 
him, describing in full what had occurred, and once more urging 
the necessity of prompt action in regard of contracts. September 
12th, I received from Jvlr. Romero a letter, dated on the 10th of that 
month, inclosing to me a copy of an official communication he had 
just received from Senor Lerdo de Tejada, the Mexican Minister 
of Foreign Afi'airs, informing him that General Carvajal had in- 
curred the displeasure of his Government, was to be tried for al- 
leged official misconduct, and had " Ceased not only in his capacity 
of Governor and Military Commander of The State of Tamauli- 
pas, but also in the commission and authorizations that had been 
previously granted him, and gave occasion to his going to the Uni- 
ted States, where he entered into engagements of which" Mr. Ro- 
mero was aware. Senor Lerdo's note directed Mr. Romero "there- 
fore, to make this resolution known to such parties as General Car- 
vajal may have left something pending with in regard to public 
.business," and concluded as follows: 

■" In conformity to the other resolutions, which have been com- 
municated to you at the proper time, everything that General Car- 
vajal might have done in fuliillmeiit of his commission and author- 
izations should be submitted for your approval ; but now, and by vir- 
tue of this new resolution, and since he is no longer able to inter- 



51 

fere in what may be done, you alone should interfere in what may 
have been left unfinished, in accordance with authorizations and 
insti'uctions from this Government." 

APPROVAL OF CONTRACTS — LETTER FROM SEVOR ROMERO 

Under date of September 11th, Mr. Romero wrote to me, that 
he had just sent to the Mexican Consul General at New York in- 
structions, empowering him to approve the contracts I might there- 
after have occasion to present to him for that purpose ; and also 
instructed me " to stop all purchases or remittances of goods for 
Matamoras " until further orders should be received from his Gov- 
ernment. Mr. Romero also, in this communication, advised me of 
his action with regard to some contracts I had sent to him for his 
approval. I quote from his letter : 

" As to the three contracts that you sent me with your official 
note of the 1st inst, I tell you that I approve, in all its parts, the 
one you signed on the 31st of August with Messrs. Fitch & Co., of 
the city of New York, for the purchase of 20,000 Enfield rifles, and 
other arms, ammunition, and military equipments referred to there- 
in, to the amount of ^714,750 00. 

" The conditions I set to my approval are — 

" 1st. That said goods be precisely for the States of the Eastern 
and Southern lines of the Republic; to which effect, you shall agree 
as to their remittance and distribution with Mr. J. J. Baz, General 
P. Baranda, and Don Justo Benitez. 

" 2d. That said goods shall be shortly sent to such points as the 
above gentlemen shall designate. 

"As regards the other two contracts, one for the purchase of coal 
and the other of rations, as they refer to goods intended for Mata- 
moras, I can not approve them till I receive instructions from my 
Government." 

« 

MY REPLY TO MK. ROMERO. 

I immediately replied to Mr. Romero, acknowledging the receipt 
of his communication of September 10th, inclosing his copy of the 
official communication of the Mexican Minister of Foreign Af- 
fairs, and assuring hini of my r(;adiness to net in accordance wiih 
the instructions therein ccHitaiiied. 



52 

MORE TllOUBLE FROM AN OLD CAUSE, 

Owing to the delay that had ensued, the gentleman whose con- 
tract Mr. Romero had approved, as above related, became disgusted 
and revoked his engagement, (a repetition of what had occurred 
rather frequently of late, on account of the delay in the appro- 
val of contracts.) Fortunately, I soon found another party who 
agreed to furnish me with a large quantity of stores, on favorable 
terms ; but when I took my contract with him to the Mexican Con- 
sul for his approval, I was greatly disappointed to learn that he 
' was still without the required instructions from the Mexican Min- 
ister. Again I communicated with Mr. Romero (this time by tele- 
graph) on this vexatious subject of the approval of contracts : and 
on the 14th I received his reply, stating that the desired instructions 
had been mailed to the Consul at New York, on the 12th j which 
the latter official failed to receive, as he informed me, until the 17th 
of that month. 

I AM REQUESTED BY MINISTER ROMERO TO SEND MUNITIONS TO 

MICHOACAN. 

September 19th, Mr. Romero wrote to me : 

" I inclose you a list of stores which Mr. Baz has sent me, sta- 
ting that those are the goods wanted for the State of Michoacan. 
If you can make these purchases according to my instructions, and 
send the articles in conformity with Mr. Baz's suggestions, you are 
authorized to do it. These goods will be bought, besides those 
referred to in your last contract approved by me, in case the latter 
are not sufficient to cover the demand of the three gentlemen I 
have refeiTcd you to, viz : General Baranda, Mr. Benitez and Mr. 
Baz. My object is to provide the States represented by these gen- 
tlemen, with your last contract, and if this is not sufficient, with 
an additional one." , 

The contract here referred to by the Mexican Minister, as though 
it were an assured success, had been lost some time before, as I 
have shown ; the owner of the goods having changed his mind 
during the long delay about the approval of the contract, and re- 
voked his engagement, although the negotiation had already cost 
him several thousand dollars, — a loss which he preferred to sustain 



53 

rather than adhere to a contract the long deferred approval of which 
had inspired him with distrust. 

THE SEIZURE OF THE " EVERMAN's " CARGO THE STATEMENTS OF THE 

RETURNED PASSENGERS OF THAT VESSEL. 

At this stage, September 18th, 1866, the steamer "JEverman " re- 
turned to New York, with all those who had gone out on that ves- 
sel to Mexico, save General Wallace and Mr. Stocking. These 
returned passengers, as well as letters received from several other 
distinguished and credible gentlemen, who were witnesses whereof 
they wrote, furnished a graphic account of the outrage at Mata- 
moras, and the shameful treatment they had received there. These 
several narratives, spoken and written, corroborated each other in 
all material particulars, and established clearly that General Car- 
vajal had acted a strictly honorable part in regard of the passen- 
gers and cargo of the " Everman," but in this had been unsup- 
ported, as the almost generaLfeeling of his associates and subordi- 
nates was one intense hostility to citizens of the United States; 
that the news of the coming of the vessel and cargo had preceded 
them at Matamoras ; that a revolt against the authority of Gen- 
eral Carvajal had been planned to take place immediately on the 
arrival of the " Everman," and which contemplated the seizure of 
her cargo ; that the programme was carried out ; and while Gen- 
eral Carvajal, ignorant of the plot, was proceeding with the dis- 
charge of the cargo, and when but a part thereof had been stored 
in the Government warehouse, the officers and soldiers under his 
command suddenly rose in revolt against their commander — whom 
they would have killed had he not barely escaped across the Rio 
Grande, — seized the stores that had just been landed from the 
■" Everman," threw into prison the American citizens who had come 
to them as friends to aid their country, and who were only released 
through the intercession of the American Consul at that port. It 
also appeared that General Wallace had at once gone to Chihua- 
hua to report to President Juarez what had occurred ; and that 
Mr. Stocking had faithfully remained to discharge his trusts, by 
protecting the interests of the legitimate Government of Mexico, 
and of all other parties concerned in the cargo. 

The above is the substance of the true story of the affair at Mat- 
amoras, and which shall be related more in detail, toward the close 
of this statement, in Mr. Stocking's report. And I ought to 



54 

add in this connection, that the returned passengers of the " Ever- 
man " freely expressed the belief that the revolt had been procur- 
ed and put into effect by the leading military authorities of Mex- 
ico, with the privity and connivance of the Mexican Government 
itself, with the design of deposing General Carvajal; and purposely 
executed on the arrival of the "Everman," that the Mexican au- 
thorities might possess themselves of her cargo, and yet be in a 
position to refuse payment therefor, under the plea that the stores 
had been seized by revolters, and had not been delivered to the 
legitimate authorities. 

MY ENDEAVORS TO PREVENT THE SEIZED CARGO FROM BEING MIS- 
APPROPRIATED. 

I again directed Mr. Stocking, by telegraph and by post, to use 
all efforts to protect the interests of the Mexican Government in 
the cargo of the " Everman," and not permit it, if possible, to be 
appropriated or wasted by the traitors. Subsequently, I again tel- 
egraphed him, pursuant to Mr. Romero's direction, to deliver all 
the goods he had been able to preserve from spoliation to General 
Tapia — who had been appointed to succeed General Carvajal as 
Governor and Military Commander of Tamaulipasv 

THE EFFECT OF THE MATAMORAS OUTRAGE ON THE MEXICAN CAUSE 

IN THIS COUNTRY. 

The true story of the Matamoras outrage had the natural effect 
of retarding the efforts being made to obtain aid in this country for 
Mexico, by deepening and widening the feeling of distrust in the 
ability of that Government to overcome its foreign enemies, to 
compel the obedience and submission of its own citizens, and to 
keep its obligations with foreign creditors : and nearly every pend- 
ing arrangement for supplies yet undelivered was defeated. I re- 
ported the existing state of affairs to Mr. Romero, and urged him 
to assist me in re-establishing the confidence that had been lost, by 
promptly settling all the accounts relating to the shipments by the 
" Everman," which would be no less an act of justice than good 
policy. 



55 

AN UNSATISFACTORY LETTER FROM MR. ROMERO. 

Mr. Romero replied on the 20th, saying : — 

" When you have transmitted to me the detailed information you 
promised about matters on the frontier, I may possibly suggest 
something for the security of the Mexican interests. In the mean 
time, I repeat to you, that when General Tapia will have assumed 
the commandment of Matamoras, all will be right." 

Such vague and unemphatic generalities as those last above 
quoted could have no effect in allaying or removing popular dis- 
trust of Mexican credit and the apprehensions of bad faith on the 
part of that country, but would serve to increase them rather. If 
the accredited Representative of that Government in this country 
seemed distrustful of his Government's intentions, by thus evading 
effectual and explicit assurances of its purpose to settle with cred- 
itors, surely the people of this country could have little confidence 
in his Government. 

I HAVE AN INTERVIEW WITH MR. ROMERO, AND SUCCEED IN PER- 
SUADING HIM TO ADOPT A MORE SATISFACTORY COURSE. 

I therefore resolved to see Mr. Romero in person ; and on the 
evening of the day his reply last above given came to hand, I left 
for Washington, where, on the 23d of September, I had a full confer- 
ence with him. The Minister spoke of the complications that had 
sprung up from the unfortunate occurrence at Matamoras, in con- 
sequence of which he could not empower me, for the present, to 
deliver the bonds to creditors on account of the " Everman's " car- 
go, and remarked, that although large authority had been conferred 
upon him by his Government, he was averse to exchanging the 
bonds of his Government for the goods embraced in this cargo, un- 
til they had been delivered to, and duly receipted by, some loyal 
Mexican official of competent authority ; which course, he added, 
was in pursuance of his resolve from the first, to avoid involvement 
in the transactions of General Carvajal and the other Mexican of- 
ficials who had been sent to this country on like missions, unless 
some inexorable necessity should arise requiring his intervention, 
or unless his Government should specially direct such intervention. 
He promised, however, to send his Government a full description 



56 

of existing embarrassments, arising from the troubles on the Rio 
Grande, and had no doubt — especially since General Wallace was 
at the Court of the Mexican Republic to inform the Government 
of these troubles, and seek a satisfactory remedy therefor — that he 
would be speedily furnished with instructions to settle with the 
creditors whose goods had composed the cargo of the "Everman." 
And he bes:2:ed me to assure these creditors that his Government 
would not forget or break its faith with the citizens of the United 
States who had sympathized with the cause of the Republic, and 
had taken its promises in exchange for valuable aid ; but, in conse- 
quence of the various exaggerated and conflicting reports that had 
reached his Government about the transactions of its different 
agents in this country, and the alleged swindling artifices of Amer- 
can speculators to defraud that Government, time would be re- 
quired before the truth could be ascertained there, the facts elimi- 
nated from the misrepresentations, and full justice done to those 
who had just demands. Mr. Romero urged me to resume my ef- 
forts, that no time might be lost in dispatching to Mexico the sup- 
plies which General Baranda had come here to procure. I prom- 
ised to use all my powers to attain the wished-for consummation ; 
and again sought to impress upon him the importance of promptly 
making the long-deferred settlements with those who had already 
furnished goods, and had received neither cash nor bonds therefor ; 
that the way to facilitate efforts to obtain present and future aid 
was to gain sympathy and credit by doing justice to the creditors 
of the past; and that the interests of Mexico were now suffering, 
and the departures of the " Suwanee" and "Vixen" with cargoes of 
munitions beingdelayed, on account of his Government's unfulfilled 
pledges and unbusiness-like delays. 

These suarsfestions were at first ineffectual to induce Mr. Romero 
to adopt the prompt and decisive course I recommended : he only 
replied that I was not so familiar as he with the nature of his peo- 
ple, no;- so fully aware of all his embarrassments; and again as- 
sured me he would not spare endeavors to induce his Government 
to promptly settle, according to contract, with its creditors in this 
country. 

But it was expecting too much, that supplies could longer be 
obtained without money, and without even bonds to secure the 
vendors. I had succeeded in despatching to Mexico one cargo ob- 
tained in that way, but the experience of those who had been in- 



57 

duced to furnish me the goods comprising that cargo had been 
such as to warn others from pursuing a like course. What nation, 
with a recognized credit, could expect to succeed in procuring from 
another people, no matter how sympathetic, articles of value, on 
empty, unsecured promises ? A nation could hardly expect so 
much from its own people. And how could Mexico hope to suc- 
ceed in this country by such means? Looking back at my efforts 
and success in obtaining munitions for Mexico, with neither money 
nor bonds, but only on representations and promises, I wonder at 
such success, or that I should have even hoped or tried to gain it. 
I. argued to Mr. Romero, that Mexican credit, always at a low 
state in this country, had become so thoroughly impaired by recent 
events, by the intrigues of its enemies, and especially by the affair 
of the " Everman," that it would be impossible to make further 
purchases without paying for them with bonds, on their delivery ; 
that a business-like, reliable course must be adopted, and hence- 
forth pursued ; that he should fix upon a certain maximum price 
for every article on the list of supplies he desired to be purchased, 
and place at ray disposal the bonds I might need in making such 
purchases: and thus I would be enabled to procure, here and there, 
at this place and that, in small or large quantities, as opportunity 
presented, the full amount of munitions required. I assured him 
that verbal promises to deliver proraises-to-pay in the future would 
no longer serve our purpose. Finally, at an interview with Mr. 
Romero on the next day, he stated that after full deliberation he 
concurred in my propositions: and then agreed to enable me to 
furnish vendors with the requisite bonds immediately on the deliv- 
ery of their goods to me ; thus obviating the necessity of formal 
written contracts — a formality which, as has been show^n, was al- 
ways involving delays detrimental to the cause. 

EXPIRED STEAMSHIP CHARTERS RENEWED GRATIFICATION OF MR. 

ROMERO. 

About this time the charter of the " Suwanee" expired, and on 
informing Mr. Romero of this fact, he requested me to endeavor to 
effect a re-engagement of this vessel for ninety days. I succeeded 
in having the charter extended for the desired period; a result that 
greatly encouraged the Mexican Minister, and constrained him 
to express the belief that prospects were again brightening, and 
the hope that I might be equally successful in obtaining supplies 
to complete the cargoes of the vessels now under charter. 



58 

SOLICITATIONS OF THE MEXICAN MINISTER. 

Before leaving Washington, after the interview just related, Mr. 
Romero urged me to endeavor, in particular, to obtain the greatest 
possible amount of powder and other ammunition, of which the 
Mexican army was in especial and pressing need. 

EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS TO MANUFACTURE CREDIT FOR MEXICAN 

BONDS. 

I returned to New York and energetically renewed exertions to 
purchase supplies with bonds ; but found it a difficult work : for 
many who would have been willing to exchange their goods for 
Mexican securities, if they could have had reliable assurance that 
the interest would be paid as it accrued, found, on inquiry at the 
house of Corliss & Co., that their guaranty of the interest on the 
bonds they had been authorized to issue would expire October 1st, 
1866, and that there was no other security or guaranty of such in- 
terest. A grave doubt thus arose in the minds of those who would 
have been willing to invest in Mexican Securities, content to wait 
the reasonable convenience of that Government in respect of the 
principal, if the payment of the interest, as it should fall due, were 
assured. And here, in my great desire to serve the Mexican Gov- 
ernment, I used my own private resources, as I had often done be- 
fore, for the benefit of the cause. The bonds of Mexico had no 
credit, it was of the first importance that they should, it was what 
the Government must earnestly desire, and so I resorted to an ex- 
traordinary expedient to give them a value. It was not to be sup- 
posed the Mexican Goverument would be unappreciative of such 
a service. I arranged with certain brokers in New York City, to 
guaranty to all whom I should refer to them for that purpose, the 
interest on these bonds for six months or one year: and to secure 
these brokers for their guaranty, I deposited with them a sufficient 
sum in gold. I also authorized them, if they could thereby strength- 
en confidence in the bonds, to anticipate the first payment of inter- 
est, by purchasing the coupons in advance of their maturity, at a 
slight discount — say, not to exceed two per centum, — which dis- 
count I asrreed to allow them for their services.* 



*In view of the Mexican Government's subsequent violation of Its pledges to its creditors in this 
country, there may be some vfho will be disposed to attribute to me unworthy motives for having 
assisted that Government to impose (as the sequel shows) on the confidence of citizens of the Uni- 



59 

SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS FOR MUNITIONS. 

• 

I was also successful, about this time, in obtaining from a highly 
respectable and influential firm in New York, who had furnished 
my State with extensive supplies of arms during the late war in 
this country, a large quantity of munitions, in exchange for Mex- 
ican bonds. 

SUCCESS OVER GREAT DIFFICULTIES, IN PROCURING POWDER. 

In my endeavors to procure powder, and other ammunition, I 
encountered great difficulties. The responsible manufacturers of 
these articles had little or no reliance in Mexican credit ; many of 
them having suffered from the bad faith and want of integrity of 
past Mexican administrations. But I finally succeeded in this, 
also. Influential friends in Philadelphia obtained favor for me 
with the senior member of a prominent powder manufacturing 
company in Wilmington, Delaware, who, I found, was acquainted 
with me by reputation, and through previous business transactions, 
having furnished large quantities of powder to my orders, while I 
was Chief of Ordnance for Indiana; and who agreed to furnish 
me, in exchange for Mexican bonds at sixty joer centum of their par 
value, five hundred barrels of powder, at the same price he had re- 
ceived for similar qualities from the Government of the United 
States: — provided, that the Mexican Government would agree to 
pay an old claim he held for powder furnished that country many 
years ago ; which claim had been duly acknowledged and approved 
by Mr. Mata, the Mexican Minister at Washington at that time. 
Of this favorable opportunity to obtain a kind of aid so much 

ted States, by the extraordinary efforts I employed to induce them to furnish materia] aid to the 
Mexican cause on credit. I think all such will relieve me from any blame in the premises when 
they reflect that I employed my own means freely and to a large extent in behalf of that cause, 
and that I am in the same category with the other creditors of the Mexican Government in this 
country. I think I have proven the rectitude of ray motives, and my sincere confidence at that 
time that the Mexican Government would fulfill its obligations to creditors in the United States — 
that the Government of Mexico was then composed of honorable men, who would never even think 
of repudiating debts for the very means of gaining the independence of that country: otherwise I 
should have avoided involving myself. And should any one feel like inquiring why I should have 
thus involved myself for the benefit of a Government that had neither evinced the ability of itself 
to inspire confidence in its bonds, nor acted in a prompt, business-like manner with those who trust- 
ed it, a satisfactory answer wo<ild be no hard matter. I would reply that I attributed, at that 
time, all these short-comings, to the reasons solemnly given me therefor by Senor Romero and other 
Mexican officials, namely, that the members of his Government wore compelled by the necessities 
of the war to be constantly changing the scat of government, and the momentous character of the 
struggle they were engaged in absorbed almost their entire attention, rendering sommualcation 
with their Minister in this country difficult and tedious. 



60 

needed by Mexico, I at once informed Mr. Romero by mail, and 
afterward more fully at a personal interview. He apprised me that 
he had for some time been aware of the old claim against his country 
held by the Wilmington gentleman, and said it was just, and urged 
me to accept that gentleman's terms. The powder was thus ob- 
tained on a pledge by the Mexican Minister, which his Government 
afterward saw fit to violate; but the aid thereby secured was timely, 
and went far toward making up the supply of that species of mu- 
nitions Senors Benitez and Baranda had been sent here by their 
Government to procure. 

By ways like these, I at length succeeded in obtaining the sup- 
ply of military stores required b}^ the three Mexican Commission- 
ers sent to me for that purpose, and all this I effected in strict con- 
formity to Mr. Romero's instructions. 

I SHIP A SECOND CARGO OF MUNITIONS TO MEXICO. 

On the 11th November, I despatched to Minititlan, Mexico, the 
steamship "Vixen," with a full cargo of first class munitions, also 
with Senors Baranda and Benitez and several other Mexicans as 
passengers, and with my eldest brother as Supercargo. Another 
brother. Captain Sturm, went out with this vessel to aid Mexico 
in the artillery service. 

SHIPMENT OF THE THIRD CARGO. 

On the 27th November, the steamer " Suwanee,'' whose depar- 
ture had been so long delayed, finally took sea for Tampico, Mex- 
ico, loaded with munitions, in charge of Governor Baz, and having 
on board a considerable number of Mexican officers. 

I INFORM MR. ROMERO THAT A MORE PROMPT AND BUSINESS-LIKE 

COURSE MUST BE PURSUED HIS LETTER OF EXPLANATION AND 

APOLOGY. 

Of the dispatch of these two steamers and cargoes I promptly 
informed Mr. Romero. But while engaged in the details of pre- 
paring these vessels for sea, and in the negotiations for the pur- 
chase of the stores comprising their cargoes, I had encountered so 
many difficulties which I considered might have been largely ob- 
viated by a more decisive policy, and thorough co-operation on the 
part of the representatives of the Mexican Government in this 



61 

country, that I had become weary of a service in which I had re- 
ceived such inadequate support, and had come to the conclusion 
that I must either be better assisted and sustained, or discontinue 
efforts in behalf of a cause in which I had been serving to the ab- 
solute neglect of private interests, and in which I had incurred 
such large outlays of ray own resources. I considered that the 
difficulties in the way of obtaining material aid on credit, in this 
country, for Mexico were largely attributable to the unbusiness-like 
and dilatory policy pursued by that Government; a policy neces- 
sarily reflected in the course of its representatives here. I was 
then disposed to blame them for much of what I now ktiow should 
be charged to the fault of their Government. They could not be 
decisive, and hearty, and straight-forward, and explicit, when they 
were serving a Government who might censure, instead of reward 
them for their course, and refuse to ratify their acts. But the effect 
on me was the same, whether it proceeded from the fault of the 
Government, or its individual representatives here. I had not been 
adequately supported; and had lately come to have especial cause 
for complaint of a want of promptness and energetic action on 
the part of the Mexican officials in this country. The Minister 
seemed to me to be laboring under restraint, and fearful of exer- 
cising the necessary responsibility. The Mexican Consul at New- 
York manifested no ^ctive interest in my efforts, and was frequent- 
ly absent from his office whole days, so that I could not find him 
when it was of the highest importance to have his official signa- 
ture to documents; and I finally resolved to inform Mr. Romero 
of these and the other like reasons which impelled me to discon- 
tinue this service, unless the remediable hindrances of which I 
complained could be removed. I accordingly wrote him to this 
effect on the 17th of November, 1866; and T can best do Mr. Romero 
the justice I desire — for my present purpose is not to complain of 
him, but of his Government — by quoting the material portions of 

his reply, written under date of the 19th of November: 

* ******* » 

"/ am fully avjare of your energy and activity, and I am persuaded 

that without you we could not have sent any arms or ammunition 

home. I am also satisfied of your integrity, and as proofs of this 

I have placed large amounts of money at your disposal. But I have 

not been disposed to second every thought and plan of yours, for 

fear that success will not crown our efforts, as so far as I am actinar 



62 

under my own responsibility, having' no instructions from my Gov- 
ernment authorizing' me to send arms or supplies. I have been 
expecting to liear by every mail on this subject, but so far I have 
got nothing. By last mail 1 heard that General Wallace was at 
Chihuahua, and that he gave some information about the cargo of 
the " Everman." I hope that will be the occasion for my Govern- 
ment to send me instructions on this important subject. _ This ex- 
plains why I have been sometimes inclined to postpone matters, 
and at others unwilling to do certain things. 

"About things that I was willing to have done, I never hesitate 
or delay them with " red tape." There were several directions 
from my Government that I have to comply with, and I tried to 
do so " * * * * * * * 

"When I see success like the sailing of the " Vixen," I rejoice as 
much as you do. 

" I am not prepared to approve the plan you suggest in your 
letter of yesterday. If, as I expect, I receive this week my instruc- 
tions on the subject, I will be prepared to give at once a definite 
answer." 

" Governor Baz was here yesterday; he left this morning, and we 
have changed the place where he is going to land with his expedi- 
tion, as he will inform you. Please send him if possible during this 
iveek.^'' 

It is clear from the general tenor of the communication just 
cited, as I can now see in the light of experience, that Mr. Romero, 
anxious to retain the approval of his government, and familiar with 
the temper of his nation, was fearful of exercising even salutary 
and necessary responsibilities, lest his conduct should subject hiim 
to censure. He seems to have been laboring under a sense of fear 
that he might incur the displeasure of his Government, in even 
taking upon himself the responsibility to do what would be for the 
welfare of his country, The passages printed in italics I have thus 
marked for the purpose of necessary comment thereon. 

When he says, "I have placed large sums of money at your dis- 
posal," he means only the bonds issued from the house of Corliss 
& Co. That these were anything but equivalent to money, I think 
I have pretty clearly shown. The only appreciable credit they ever 
had was what I contrived to give them. But the Mexican Minis- 
ter may be excused for thus flattering the credit of his Government. 



63 

In what Mr. Homero has to say about having never been 
instructed by his Government to purchase arms in this country 
and ship them to Mexico, he doubtless means specific instructions 
as to details ; for he certainly had the amplest au hority in general 
terms, as has been shown by documentary proof. 

Mr. Romero's letter, last quoted, expressed such decided approval 
and appreciation of my services in behalf of his country, disclosed 
so many difficulties that he had to contend with, and manifested 
so strong an anxiety on his part to aid his country and give me the 
needed support, that I relented in my purpose to resign, and de- 
termined to continue my efforts in the cause which had had my 
deep sympathy from the first; hoping that the dilatory and uncer- 
tain policy that had hindered me' so much would give way to 
promptness and decision, as the success of the armies of the Re- 
public should enable the legitimate Government to permanently 
re-establish its seat, and freely and uninterruptedly communicate 
with its representatives in the United States. 

FURTHER PURCHASES OF MILITARY STORES. 

Directly the "Suwanee" had beqn dispatched to Mexico, I left 
New York for Hartford, Springfield, Boston and other places, to 
procure, if possible, the supplies needed to complete the amounts 
which General Baranda and Governor Baz had been sent to this 
country to obtain ; two cargoes of which I had already succeeded 
in purchasing and sending to Mexico. While on this journey, I 
engaged with a number of prominent Massachusetts manufacturers 
to accept in exchange for a large quantity of military stores Mexi- 
can bonds at the rate of sixty per centum of their nominal value. 
These engagements were subsequently approved by the Mexican 
Consul at New York, in accordance with Mr. Romero's direction, 
and the goods delivered to my order by the month of March, 1867. 
The munitions were direct from the manufacturers' hands, new, of 
the most approved descriptions known to the service, strictly of the 
first-class in all respects. 

LOSS OF THE " SUWANEE " AND CARGO 

On my return to New York, on the 8th of Deccml)er, I learned 
by a letter from Mr. Romero, that the "Suwanee" liad been 
lost at sea: which disast(>r T sliortly ascertained hud occurred on 



64 

the 4th of that month, off the Coast of South Carolina, during a 
heavy gale, which had been very disastrous to shipping in general, 
and by which the "Sawanee" and cargo had gone to the bottom. 
This disaster resulted from no carelessness or want of prudence 
on my part; but was simply one of those unavoidable occur- 
ences, not possible to be foreseen or prevented by human wisdom. 
The vessel had been duly inspected before her departure by the 
proper United States officers, as well as by my own private inspec- 
tors (whose certificates of such inspection I at once transmitted to 
Mr. Romero:) and in addition to these, the owners of the " Suwa- 
nee," men of high standing and reputation in the business circles 
of Philadelphia, attested the entire sea-worthiness of their ship at 
the time she was sent to sea on this expedition.* 

RETURN OF THE STEAMER " VIXEN." 

Toward the close of the month of December, 1866, the steamer 
" Vixen " returned to New York, with information of the safe ar- 
rival of that vessel at her destination, and the delivery of her cargo 
to the proper Mexican authorities. 

AN INTERVIEW WITH MR. ROMERO TOUCHING MY COMPENSATION — I 
URGE A PROMPT FULFILLMENT OF THE CONTRACTS WITH THE OTHER 
CREDITORS. 

Shortly after this, I had an interview with Mr. Romero at Wash- 
ington, during which he recurred to the question of my compensa- 
tion for services in behalf of his country, about which he had writ- 
ten me a few days before : and he now requested me to name the 
sum in Mexican bonds I would be willing to accept in full settle- 
ment for such services. In reply, I remarked that the promises I 
had already received from his Government were quite as binding as 
any other form of Mexican promises, including the bonds; which 
owed, as I conceived, most of the value they had obtained in this 
country to my efforts to give them credit. 1 put in a plea for those 
whom I had induced to furnish military stores for Mexican bonds, 
that his Government should accord them the prompt payment their 



<-I did not insure this cargo, for the reason that I had not been instructed by Mr. Eomero to in- 
cur the expense of bo doing — a precaution I had taken in respect of the cargoes of the "Everman" 
and other vessels, and which I had not been encouraged by Mr. Komero to repeat. But after this 
disaster, by Mr Roraero'sdirection, all cargoesof munitions sent to Mexico were insured ; the means 
for which insurance, I may add, were provided by myself. 



65 

confidence in its pledges, and valuable assistance of its cause, en- 
titled them to receive. And as regarded my own compensation, I 
expressed my willingness to leave that to his Government's sense 
of justice ; desiring to be classed, in this respect, with Messrs. Cor- 
liss & Co., who had entered into engagements with his Govern- 
ment shortly after myself, and, though in a different way, to assist 
in the success of the same cause. Mr. Romero expressed himself 
much gratified at what he was then pleased to call my " generous 
disposition ; " and again assured me that, so far as he was concern- 
ed, (and he doubted not his disposition, in this respect, was shared 
by his countrymen generally,) no means should be omitted to im- 
press the Mexican Government with a fitting sense of the extent 
and importance of my services, and that strict justice should be 
accorded the friends who had so valuably aided me in behalf of his 
country. I also took occasion to remind him of the unsettled 
status of the contracts connected with the cargo of the "Everman" — 
none of the stores sent out on that vessel having been paid for, — 
and of the unsatisfied contracts for the charters of the " Everman" 
and " Suwanee ; " and urged the great benefit that would result to 
the credit and good name of his country, by according to these 
creditors the justice that had so long been deferred. But I could 
not indues him to comply with these recommendations: he was 
still averse, in the absence of special instructions, to taking any 
responsibility respecting the early contracts made under the author- 
ity of General Carvajal. However, he agreed to, and subsequently 
did, settle for the charter of the " Vixen," and that part of the cargo 
of the '' Everman " which had been receipted for by the lawful 
Mexican authorities ; promising to do similar justice in regard of 
the remaining unsettled contracts so soon as he should receive the 
requisite authority from his Government, for which, as he stated, 
he had repeatedly written, and which he was daily expecting to 
receive. 

PURCHASES FOR BONDS ORDERED TO BE DISCONTINUED. PARTIAL 

FULFILLMENT OF CONTRACTS. THREATENED TROUBLE. 

About this time, Mr. Romero received from his Government 
directions to make no further purchases for bonds ; and at 
his request, I rendered him a detailed statement of the stores I had 
on hand for the Mexican Government. On which, Mr. Romero 
promptly furnished the bonds necessary for meeting the contracts 
5 



made under his own exclusive instruclions; which bonds I at once 
delivered to the proper persons. But in regard of the contract 
with the Powder Manufacturing Company before described, he 
only provided for fulfilling that portion relating to the powder ob- 
tained in pursuance thereof, and declined to liquidate, according to 
agreement, the old claim held by that Company, until possessed of 
the necessary authority from his Government; the receipt of which 
he was daily expecting. But Messrs. Dupont de Nemours & Co., 
who had been induced to furnish the powder under the solemn 
agreement that their old claim should be promptly settled along 
with the new debt, and having previously formed an unfavorable 
opinion of Mexican integrity from their inability to obtain pay- 
ment of the old claim aforesaid, regarded the present proposition 
to still further postpone the settlement of a long over-due obliga- 
tion, as a fresh proof that further bad faith was contemplated, and 
would consent to receive no less than the entire satisfaction of their 
contract with the Mexican Government. They refused to receive 
the bonds tendered for the powder, unless the long dishonored 
claim held by them was paid at the same time; and they declined 
to deliver the remainder of the powder yet due under their contract, 
for the same reason. 

HOW I ADVANCED FUNDS TO MAINTAIN MEXICAN CREDIT. 

I acquainted Mr. Romero with the resolution of Messrs Dupont, 
De Nemours & Co., which was both natural and just, and urged 
him, if he did not feel at liberty to take the responsibility of settling 
this old claim, according to contract, until instructed so to do by 
his Government, to furnish me the requisite amount of bonds for 
that purpose, and charge them to my account, and I would on my 
own responsibility take up the claim; trusting to the Mexican Gov- 
ernment for its approval of so manifest an act of justice, and 
so necessary for the preservation of his country's credit and 
honor. I represented that this would be politic as well as just; 
that the company had been liberal in its dealings with his Govern- 
ment, had trusted in its pledges with a generous confidence, and 
being men of prominence and influence, it was important to have 
their good-will and confidence in the future. To this Mr. Romero 
replied that he would be glad to accede to my request, and if he 
should not shortly receive the expected instructions from his Gov- 



67 

ernment, he would give to me, on his " own responsibility," the 
bonds required to "settle the old credit", referred to. But consid- 
ering it highly damaging to the cause to wait longer for the un- 
certain arrival of these instructions (which indeed Mr. Romero 
never did receive,) and deeming it of the utmost importance to 
maintain the little credit already gained for Mexico, and as ray own 
reputation was involved, since it had been largely on the strength 
of my own assurances and pledges that the engagements in question 
had been brought about, I again urged upon Mr. Romero, at an 
interview with him in Washington, to take the necessary responsi- 
bility. But the Mexican minister, although admitting the justice of 
the claim and that good policy called for its immediate settlement, 
and reiterating his confidence that his Government would speedily 
authorize its liquidation, was nevertheless opposed to either assum- 
ing the responsibility of anticipating the expected instructions, in 
the ways I had proposed, or to charging to my account the neces- 
sary bonds for that purpose. He proceeded to explain that his 
Government had expressly charged him to refrain from issuing any 
more bonds than could be avoided ; and he was of opinion that his 
Government had it in contemplation to settle its remaining debts in 
this country by other means than bonds. 

I replied that whatever general financial measures his Govern- 
ment might be contemplating, the claim in question should be met 
now, by a full satisfaction of the agreement, and not by fresh prom- 
ises of future satisfaction; that the present case involved his 
country's and my own honor, and that to preserve these — since he 
was unauthorized by his Government to exercise the necessary 
authority in this particular instance, — I would, with his approval, 
raise the money on my own individual responsibility, and so take 
up the drafts that had so long been dishonored, and rely on his 
Government for re-imbursement for the advance thus made to pre- 
serve its credit. 

Mr. Romero feelingly expressed his pleasure at this proposition, 
saying that he would be careful to represent my conduct in its true 
and favorable light to his Government; which he felt assured would 
not only be duly grateful, but would properly reward me for " this 
new evidence" of my " good disposition " toward his country. I 
accordingly obtained on my own credit the necessary funds, took 
up the old claim that had caused me so much anxiety and annoy- 
ance, settled for the powder according to contract, received the 



68 

company's receipts in full of all demands against the Mexican Gov- 
ernment, and promptly apprised Mr. Romero of my success. 

RETURN OF THE SUPERCARGO OF THE "eVERMAN." 

February the 24th, 1867, in company with Mr, Stocking, former- 
ly General Carvajal's private secretary, I went to Washington 
for the purpose of a conference with the Mexican minister. Mr. 
Stocking had just returned from Matamoras, where he had been 
sent, as I have related, as the Supercargo of the " Everman," and 
had remained there until recently to attend to the interests of the 
Mexican Government in the cargo of that vessel; and my present 
purpose was, that he might give the Mexican minister a full verbal 
narrative of what had transpired at Matamoras, and the troubles 
that had grown out of the revolt resulting in the seizure of the 
cargo of that vessel, in addition to the report he had sent by 
mail, and which I had previously transmitted to Mr. Romero. 

MR. stocking's account OF THE SEIZURE OF THE " EVERMAN's" CAR- 
GO, AND HIS EFFORTS TO PRESERVE IT FROM MISAPPROPRIATION. 

Mr. Stocking's account, which was fully corroborated by other 
reports brought to this country on the return of the "Everman," 
and by additional authentic testimony, was in substance as fol- 
lows : 

"When the arrival of that vessel at Brazos was announced to 
General Carvajal, at Matamoras, he sent his agent in a steamer, 
with orders to Mr. Stocking and General Wallace to deliver the 
cargo to this agent, and report at once with the passengers to him- 
self at Matamoras. The cargo was accordingly delivered to the 
agent and loaded on the steamer sent to Brazos for the purpose,which 
proceeded to Matamoras with the party that had come out in the 
"Everman" and arrived there on the 11th of August, 1866. Gen- 
eral Carvajal set a strong force of laborers to discharging the 
cargo, which was accomplished early the next morning: and about 
12 o'clock of that day, when the greater part of these munitions 
had been deposited in the Government warehouses — the remain- 
der, consisting mainly of ammunition, being on the wharf ready 
for storage, — the officers and troops under General Carvajal sud- 
denly instituted a preconcerted revolt, arrested and imprisoned all 
American citizens who had gone out in the "Everman," and at- 



69 

tempted to assassinate General Carvajal, who only saved his life 
by fleeing across the river to Brownsville. Through the inter- 
cession of the American Vice- Consul at that place, General Wal- 
lace, Mr. Stocking and fellow Americans were soon released. The 
revolters took possession, of the stores brought by the " Everman," 
pillaging, scattering, or appropriating them to their own uses. In 
this dilemma, Mr. Stocking, for the purpose of saving for the Mex- 
ican Government as large a portion as possible of these munitions, 
or at least of preventing them from being used against that Gov- 
ernment, claimed them as the property of himself and other Am- 
erican citizens, and by a variety of expedients endeavored to regain 
possession of the cargo. In this, however, he failed of success until 
the 18th of August, when he obtained of General Canales (the 
chief who had been elevated by the revolters to the authority for- 
merly exercised by General Carvajal ) permission to remove to 
Brownsville, on the American side of the Rio Grande, whatever 
part of the cargo had not been appropriated or destroyed ; Canales 
refusing to deliver such of the goods as had been pillaged by his 
troops. During all this time the ammunition and some of the 
other stores had remained upon the landing place, exposed to the 
heavy rains which had fallen — that being the rainy season there, — 
and was in consequence greatly damaged, the ammunition in par- 
ticular. Meanwhile the resources of Mr. Stocking and the other 
citizens of this country with him (they had no funds of the Mex- 
ican Government ) having been exhausted, he took the responsi- 
bility of borrowing the necessary means to enable him to transfer 
the goods to the American side ; for which he engaged storage-room 
in Brownsville, and after several days arduous labor, and at the 
risk of his life, succeeded in transferring to that place and there 
storing, though in a damaged condition, the largest portion of the 
munitions. He then sent messengers to General Escobedo and 
various other Mexican officials in different parts of that country 
to apprise them of the details of the outrage at Matamoras, and what 
had been done by him for the interest of the legitimate Govern- 
ment, and urging them to authorize some loyal officer of their 
Government to receive and receipt to him for the stores. 

General Wallace, directly the outrage had been committed, went 
to Monterey to see General Escobedo, the Mexican Generalissimo^ 
io report what had occurred at Matamoras, and to solicit his inter- 
ference for the recovery of the cargo. Failing to obtain satisfaction 



70 

from General Escobedo, General Wallace, next proceeded, for the 
same purpose, to Chihuahua, the seat of the Mexican Govern" 
ment at that time, to confer with the President and other chie* 
authorities. 

Finding however, that there was no early prospect of delivering 
the stores, since he could find no officer of competent authority or 
honesty to receive them, Mr. Stocking ordered the "Everman" to 
return to New York with the citizens of this country who had sail- 
ed in that vessel, remaining himself at his post to fulfill the duties 
entrusted to him and to await further directions. Hardly was the 
" Everman " out of sight, when various merchants from Matamoras, 
Brownsville, and neighboring places, fell upon Mr. Stocking with 
claims for moneys due them from General Carvajal, attached the 
munitions as the property of the latter officer, and threatened to 
have them sold for payment of their pretended claims. The own- 
ers of the steamer that had delivered the goods at Matamoras also 
presented a demand for over $3,000 in specie, which was the 
amount General Carvajal had contracted to pay them for trans- 
porting the cargo from Brazos to Matamoras. Other charges for 
storage, protection, packing, unpacking, et cetera had also accum- 
lated. 

Mr. Stocking held these beseigers at bay as best he could : but 
perceiving that he could not long maintain such an unequal con- 
test ; that the combination of claimants formed would, with 
their charges and pretences of charges, entirely consume the cargo 
in a short time, having received not a word of assurance or promise 
of relief from the Mexican Minister or any other legitimate repre- 
sentative of that Government ( though several such were in the 
vicinity, taking no concern in the matter;) and seeing that he was 
every day becoming involved more and more in pecuniary embarrass- 
ments, resolved to sell a portion of the goods to release the rest. 
In this he was partially successfully, and after a- long period of per- 
plexity and annoyances, and many a vain effort to find a loyal 
Mexican officer authorized to receive and receipt for the goods, he fin- 
ally succeeded in delivering to duly authorized Commissioners of 
the Mexican Government, that portion of the cargo which he had 
saved from out the spoliation at Matamoras, and from the clutch- 
es of remorseless creditors. It should here be added, that Mr. 
Stocking, before being permitted to transfer the stores from Mata- 
moras to Brownsville, had also been compelled, in addition to the 



71 

I 
other claims, to pay the charges incurred under General CarvajaPs 

orders, in the first instance, in discharging the goods from the 
tjteamer and removing them to the Government warehouse ; pay- 
ment of which was extorted from him, at the peril of his life, by 
gangs of ruffian laborers, vt^ith arms in their hands, and threatening 
Xo use them, too, if their clamorous demands were not at once 
gratified ; in which they were encouraged and sustained by the 
Revolutionary officials at Matamoras, whose interest it was to 
defeat Mr. Stocking's endeavors. 

Such is the substance of the account Mr. Stocking gave to the 
Mexican Minister. 

BHOKEN CONTtlACTS AND DISAPPOINTED CREDITORS. 

Mr. Romero promised to immediately communicate these details 
to his Government: and agreed to deliver to the appropriate persons 
the bonds due for that portion of the cargo ivhich Mr. Stock- 
ing had succeeded in delivering to the Mexican authorities, and for 
ivhich he had received their receipts: further than this he declined 
to do until specially instructed by his Government. Not being 
able to induce Mr. Romero to settle in full for the cargo of the 
" Everman," the charter of that vessel and of the " Suwanee," and 
for the purchase of the gunboat " Sheridan," the several interested 
creditors themselves demanded of Mr. Romero the settlement of 
their claims according to contract; but to this day they have failed 
in their attempts to obtain justice from the Mexican Government. 
I pass over the history of the effi3rts of these creditors to secure a 
settlement of their demands, their pressure on the Mexican Minis- 
ter as well as myself (for having induced them to trust the 
Mexican Government, they naturally looked to me to aid them in 
their attempts to obtain relief;) to resist which pressure, the Mexi- 
can Minister, fearful of incurring the displeasure of his Govern- 
ment and people, had to resort to many expedients, which must 
have been as unpleasant and embarrassing to himself as unjust to 
the importunate creditors. I omit, I say, an account of these trans, 
actions, because, though interesting in themselves, they are not so 
specially connected with my present object as to justify me in 
extending this statement beyond reasonable limits. 



72 

I COMPLAIN TO MR. ROMERO OP BROKEN PLEDGES — HE PROPOSES 
THAT I ACCOMPANY HIM TO MEXICO TO EFFECT A SETTLEMENT OF 
THE CLAIMS OF AMERICAN CREDITORS. 

Suffice it to say that the vain attempts of these creditors to ob- 
tain justice, and the policy that the Mexican Government had dis- 
closed to evade its obligations to those who had trusted it, involving 
as it did my own reputation and the continued good opinion of 
valued friends, had inspired me with indignation and a desire to have 
nothing more to do with that Government; and I determined to 
go to Washington and have an interview with Mr. Romero touch- 
ing these matters. But at this interview the Mexican Minister 
spoke so feelingly and frankly of the embarrassments he had to 
contend with, and of the pressing solicitations and demands made 
upon him by the creditors of his nation to settle their claims at 
once, — demands that it was absolutely out of his power to gratify, 
however strongly he might desire that justice should promptly be 
done them, — that my feelings changed from indignation to sympa- 
thy for Mr. Romero ; whose disagreeable situation at that time no 
one can deny. He urgently requested me, not for his own sake 
alone, but for the interest of the creditors, to urge the latter to wait 
until he had time to hear from his Government in regard to their 
claims. He mentioned the many impediments, by reason of the 
war then going on in Mexico, to the interchange of communica- 
tions with his Government: and expressed the hope that, by the 
aid of the assistance I had been instrumental in sending to his 
Country, the war would soon be terminated in favor of the cause 
of the Republic ; when he hoped to be able to give full satisfaction 
to all the creditors of Mexico in the United States. He had thought, 
he said, when this triumphant consummation should be gained, of 
asking me to go with him to his country and there aid him in effect- 
ing an honorable settlement with these creditors. 

Fully persuaded at that time, from the earnest and ingenuous 
manner of his conversation, that he was entirely sincere in his pro- 
fessions ; believing that Mr. Romero's unsatisfactory policy in the 
matters of which I have been writing had been controlled by strin- 
gent instructions from his Government, rendered necessary by its 
inability to communicate, except at infrequent intervals, with 
him, by reason of the vicissitudes of the war which compelled 
the President and Cabinet to emigrate from place to place ; having 



73 

also strong confidence in the alleged inflexible integrity of Presi- 
dent Juarez, of which I had heard so much ; and deeming it best 
for all concerned, that the course suggested by Mr. E-omero should 
be pursued, I acceded to his request, and agreed to accompany him 
to Mexico for the purpose he had proposed. 

MORE MILITARY STORES WANTED INABILITY TO OBTAIN THEM FOR 

MEXICAN BONDS. 

But I have been anticipating matters a little out of their chrono- 
logical sequence ; and T will now return to the narrative of my 
transactions immediately relating to the shipment of munitions to 
Mexico. 

In the month of February, 1867, Mr. Romero introduced to me, 
by letter. Colonel Don Enrique A. Mexia, as a commissioner from 
General Pavon, Commander of the Northern line of the State of 
Vera Cruz, who had come to this country for supplies of munitions; 
and in regard to whose mission he would soon write me at length. 
A few days later, the Mexican Minister wrote desiring me to pro- 
cure a large assortment of munitions for the army under the com- 
mand of General Diaz, to aid that officer in bringing the war to a 
speedy and successful close. 

I endeavored to obtain the requested supplies, but it was no 
longer possible to do so with Mexican bonds. The little credit I 
had manufactured for them had been lost, — partly attributable to 
the fact that no provision was made, or being made, for the pay- 
ment of their interest ; and, in a larger sense, due also to the un- 
fulfilled contracts with former creditors. 

I SHIP MILITARY STORES ON PRIVATE ACCOUNT, AT THE REQUEST OF 

MR. ROIVIERO. 

About this time came a request from General Diaz that a sup- 
ply of artillery and other arms might be sent to Alvarado, Mexico, 
to assist in the capture of Vera Cruz ; and for the payment of 
which the money was represented to be in readiness at that place. 
Also, Colonel Mexia and other Mexican officers assured me that 
there were sufficient funds at Tampico and vicinity to pay for mu- 
nitions on their delivery. And after consulting with Mr. Romero, 
who promised to afford me every possible facility, I concluded to 
ship to Mexico some arms and other munitions, as a private ven- 
ture, but under the auspices and protection of the Mexican Gov* 



74 

ernment. I agreed, with Mr. Romero, that I would convey to 
Tampico, free of all charges for passage and freight, Colo'nel Mexia 
and his companions, together with such portions of the stores on 
hand that had been procured for his Government as he might de- 
sire : — provided, that the vessel and that portion of the cargo so 
taken out on private account should be free of all taxes or duties? 
as well as the proceeds of this cargo when sold : to which Mr. Ro- 
mero gave his consent and approval. 

With this understanding, I procured from several Massachusetts 
manufacturers such supplies as were required; to which were added 
others, obtained from friends of mine; and on the 31st March, I 
dispatched the steamer "General McCallum" to Tampico, in 
charge of Mr. Stocking, as Supercargo, with a large cargo of mu- 
nitions, partly belonging to the Mexican Government, and the lar- 
ger portion taken out as a private commercial enterprise. Colonel 
Mexia and eight other Mexican citizens (whose effects amounted 
to about fifty tons) were passengers on this vessel. 

Before the departure of the " McCallum," information of the in- 
tended expedition was sent to the authorities at Tampico ; and 
Mr. Romero sent me, by mail, the letters (written in Spanish) 
to officials in Mexico, which had been promised as a means of 
obtaining from the Mexican authorities the special privileges that 
had induced me to embark in this enterprise. In his communica- 
tion inclosing these letters, Mr. Romero says : 

" I inclose you one letter for General A. Gomez, and another for 
Mr. Chase,* which will enable Mr, Stocking to do his business. I 
can not specify the facilities they might give you there ; but I gen- 
erally recommend them to extend you as many as they conveniently 
can. If you do not succeed in the disposal of the goods at Tam- 
pico, I would suggest to take them to Alvarado, or Matan^oras." 

MORE CALLS FOR MILITARY STORES. 

Under date of April 8th, 1867, Mr. Romero wrote to me : — 

"General Berriozabal wishes me to send to Matamoras such part 
of the goods purchased from Mr. f as are intended for him. 

-■■ The Consul-General of the United States to Mexico ; then having his office at Tampico. 
f The name of this gentleman, who is one of the largest manufactiirera of arras in this country, 
i« omitted because permission to use it in this connection has not been obtaiued. 



75 

He would pay the freight at Matamoras on receipt of the goods. 
Do you think it possible to send them under such terms? The 
balance of the goods are intended for General Diaz, and I would 
prefer to have them sent to Alvarado. As you know, General 
Garcia and General Benavides are now there blockading Vera 
Cruz. They lack heavy artillery; and I doubt very much whether 
they can take the place unless they are supplied with heavy artil- 
lery and the necessary ammunition. As the capture of Vera Cruz 
is of very great importance, I have no doubt that they would be 
willing to pay well for any artillery that any enterprising party 
might take to Alvarado. Should you be willing to have any of 
your friends undertake this, let me know it ; I can then send all 
goods for General Diaz. General Baranda will be at the head- 
quarters of Generals Garcia and Benavides." 

I lost no time in endeavoring to put these wishes into execution, 
made the necessary arrangements, and dispatched, by the schooner 
"Veto," the desired supplies to General Berriozabal, I proceeded 
to arrange for sending a supply of artillery and other arms to assist 
in the capture of Vera Cruz; but before these could be shipped, 
news was received of the surrender of that place to the army of 
the Mexican Republic. 

A PARALLEL CASE TO THE OUTRAGE AT MATAMORAS, BEFORE RELA- 
TED. 

On the 31st of May, the steamer "General McCallum" returned, 
and I learned from Mr. Stocking that indignities had been put 
upon him and the other officers of the vessel, by the authorities at 
Tampico, and outrages committed touching the rights of American 
citizens in the cargo, quite as discreditable to the Mexican Gov- 
ernment as the treachery and faithlessness that had previously led 
to the seizure and partial misappropriation of the cargo of the 
steamer " Everman," at Matamoras. He and his fellow Americans, 
although they had come to Mexico with valuable aid for that coun- 
try, and with promises of extraordinary privileges and courtesies, 
had nevertheless been treated like enemies. The Mexican com- 
mandant at that place, General Gomez, previously advised of the 
coming of the vessel with so valuable a cargo, had usurped an ab- 
solute, irresponsible control of the port, and immediately on the 
arrival of the " McCallum," seized ship and cargo; which wore only 



76 

released by the prompt and gallant action of the late Captain Max- 
well, commanding the United States ship-of-war, "Yantic." The 
vessel was thus freed from the clutches of the greedy usurper; who 
next subjected the officers to further annoyance and expense, by 
requiring them to proceed about seventy miles up the river and there 
discharge that portion of the cargo which I had purchased with 
the bonds of Mexico. The ship was then allowed to return to 
Tampico. But during the enforced voyage up the river, owing to 
its tortuous course and swift current, the "McCallum" ran ashore 
and sustained damages, as the owners claim, to the extent of sev- 
eral thousand dollars; for which loss they have held me responsible. 
And on the return of the steamer to Tampico, Gomez would not 
permit her to go to sea again ; but then and there compelled the 
discharge of the remaining and principal portion of the cargo, the 
property of American citizens (assigning as a pretense for this 
exaction the circumstance that the vessel had originally cleared 
for that port,) and insisted on the immediate payment of all the 
duties ordinarily imposed on merchant vessels — decidedly rigorous 
treatment, it muyt be said, of the citizens of the United States, 
who had been induced to undertake this enterprise under the prom- 
ises of extraordinary courtesies and privileges ; and wantonly 
outrageous when it is considered that the cargo was composed of the 
very means of success so essential to the Mexican army. And now 
Mr. Stocking had returned to inform me of all this atrocious treat- 
ment from an official of a Government for which I had done so 
much; having left my brother behind at Tampico to protect, as 
best he might, individual interests in the cargo. But concerned 
as I was, and mortified and indignant, I could but wait for affairs 
to take their course. 

FINAL SHIPMENTS OF STORES. 

This last outrage increased my desire to bring my engagement 
with the Mexican Government to a close; and I exerted myself 
to ship to Mexico the remainder of the military stores on hand, 
and so close accounts. Accordingly, I engaged the necessary ves- 
sels, and before my journey to Mexico that autumn had sent to 
the Mexican Government all these munitions. 



77 

I RENDER MR. ROMERO A FINAL REPORT OF MY TRANSACTIONS. 

How the struggle terminated in the triumph of the cause of the 
Republic, the extermination of the foreign Empire, the capture and 
execution of Maximilian, and the expulsion of the foreign inva- 
ders, are matters of history I have no need to repeat here. There 
was now no further need of the services I had for two years been 
engaged in performing, and which I think I have shown had much 
to do with securing the triumph that finally crowned the struggle 
of the Mexican people for independence ; and now that Mr. Romero 
was about to terminate his embassadorial services, and was prepar- 
ing to return to his country, I submitted to him, on the 23d of 
August, 1867, a final report of my transactions as the Agent of his 
Government, with summary statements of accounts of the arms 
and other munitions I had purchased and shipped, the vessels char- 
tered, &c. ; the vouchers for which, as well as detailed statements 
of the same, T had already furnished him from time to time, as 
occasion required. 

AN INTERVIEW WITH MR. REMERO, TOUCHING MY OWN CLAIMS AND 
THOSE OF THE OTHER CREDITORS. 

Shortly prior to rendering the foregoing report, at an interview 
with Mr. Romero, in New York, the subject of my projected visit 
to Mexico with him, for the purpose of effecting settlements with 
his Government of my claims and those of the citizens of this 
country who had been induced to aid his cause, was introduced 
and discussed. I stated to Mr. Romero that my first ol)ject, and 
chief concern, was to bring about an early and satisfactory settle- 
ment in behalf of the creditors in this country who had furnished 
material aid for the Mexican cause through my solicitations. These 
creditors, I urged, would quite naturally look to him and myself as 
being obligated to industriously endeavor to effect an early settle- 
ment of their claims; for it had been through our agency and prom- 
ises that they had been induced to trust his Government: most of 
whom had not even received the bonds that had been promised 
them as a guaranty of payment; and the others, to whom Mexican 
bonds had been delivered, had never been paid any of the accrued 
interest thereon, which was now much in arrears: — strict justice for 
these creditors, I said to Mr. Romero, was my first desire. In 
respect to the remuneration for myself and the friends who had 



78 

co-operated with me in effecting the results I had attained, as 
Agent for his Government, a liberal latitude would be allowed. 

I reminded the Mexican Minister of what had passed between 
us, when at a former interview he had brought up this subject ; 
how I had then expressed my entire confidence that the Mexican 
Government would fully compensate and reimburse me and my 
friends for all our services and expenditures in its behalf; and how 
I had then preferred to let this subject remain yet awhile longer 
in statu quo; since his Government was not at that time in full pos- 
session of the territory of Mexico and its revenues, and I could not 
then tell in what manner my compensation and remuneration might 
most conveniently be made; audit was not possible at that time 
to foresee how long the war might be prolonged, or what addition- 
al services I might be called on to perform. But now that the war 
had triumphantly ended, and I was to accompany him to Mexico, 
to effect a settlement with his Government, and as he was more 
familiar than I with the financial condition of his Country, I 
desired his opinion as to the probable manner in which remuneration 
for my services, and satisfaction of his Government's agreements 
with me generally, would most probably be made. I remarked 
that he was fully cognizant of the nature and extent of the services 
I had rendered, and valuable influences I had enlisted in the ac- 
tive behalf of his Country. I further observed that it was natural 
that his Government's finances should have become disordered and 
the Treasury depleted by the war, and that, in consequence, it might 
be inconvenient, if not difficult, to remunerate in ready money myself 
and the friends who had assisted and co-operated with me in my 
labors: for which reasons, it would probably be more convenient for his 
Government to put our compensation in some other form less 
onerous for itself, and equally valuable to us. I reminded him that 
at a former conversation he had spoken to me of the vast unde- 
veloped sources of natural wealth his country possessed; its great 
need of public improvements, internal and coast- wise ; the needed de- 
velopment of its mines, improvement of its harbors, construction of 
public highways, etc.; in some of which services he had desired me to 
engage, on account of what he was pleased to term my enterprise, pub- 
lic spirit, and determination, and in which I might profit myself while 
benefiting Mexico: and I now asked him what inducements, special 
privileges, and franchises, in regard of these, his Government would 
probably be willing to confer on me and friends, as compensation 



79 

for the services we had rendered under the agreements of that Gov- 
ernment with me. I remarked that it was in the power of his Gov- 
ernment to grant special favors in these respects, that would cost the 
treasury nothing — but would benefit it instead — and which I would 
quite prefer to any form of proraises-to-pay, whether in the shape 
of bonds or otherwise. That is to say, in respect of our services 
to his Government in the procurement and shipment of arms, and 
in a political capacity — including the outlays of money in the latter 
service — I and the influential friends to whom I was indebted on 
account of the aid and influences they had given me, would be 
willing to receive, as full compensation, special privileges, grants, or 
franchises, as above stated: but as to the outlay from my own pri- 
vate means I had incurred in meeting the expenditures necessary 
to effect the purchase of arms, and to provide for their shipment, to 
Mexico — under which head I include the money I advanced to 
liquidate old claims against Mexico, the gold I furnished to an- 
ticipate the interest on Mexican bonds, expenses of clerk hire, and 
the like, — for such outlays, I should expect re-imbursement in 
kind. 

MY DESIRE TO ESTABLISH MORE INTIMATE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE 

UNITED STATES AND MEXICO. HOW A WELL-MEANT DESIGN WAS 

FRUSTRATED. 

In reply, Mr. Romero said that he could not, of course, in advance 
of his return to Mexico, state particularly what his Government 
would do; yet I could not but obtain great favor in its estimation 
for the sympathy, consideration, and generous disposition I had 
showm ; that his country w^as in especial need of American capital 
for developing its resources, and improving its natural advantages: 
and he had no doubt that if I would accompany him on his return, 
all would be arranged to the satisfaction of myself and friends, and 
the other creditors spoken of; especially since I was willing to 
allow his Government so wide a latitude in settling, without re- 
quiring a satisfaction in cash of its agreements with me. 

Ascertaining from Mr. Romero that he had formed the design of 
returning home some time in the following September, via Havana, 
in either the English or French steamer, I suggested to him that it 
might result in benefit to both countries, if he would invite some 
of our distinguished and influential public men to accompany him, 
that they might learn something of the resources and condition of 



80 

Mexico; which would be of especial advantage to the latter country, 
if — as was at that time anticipated — it should require further assis- 
tance from the Government or people of the United States. And, 
should this proposition meet with his concurrence, I further pro- 
posed to charter and furnish, at my own expense, a vessel to convey 
himself and family, and invited guests, to Mexico, and return the 
latter on the expiration of their visit. 

The Mexican Minister, aware of my desire to establish a more 
thorough amity and intimate relationship between the two countries, 
at once agreed to the suggestion and accepted my offer. I pro- 
ceeded to put the design into execution, and, after considerable 
pains to secure a comfortable vessel, obtained a fast sailing and 
desirable steamer, the " Chicamauga," then lying at Baltimore; 
which I caused to be overhauled, refitted, and furnished for my 
purpose. But, after I had spent considerable time, and incurred an 
expense of several thousand dollars in fitting out this vessel in 
becoming style, Mr. Romero changed his mind, and, early in Octo- 
ber, informed me that he had just received and accepted the offer 
of an United States Revenue Cutter, the "Wilderness," for the 
purpose for which I had engaged the " Chicamauga." 

Mr. Romero's acceptance of this offer, (evidently estimating at a 
high value the compliment it signified, and the favorable impression, 
as regarded himself, it would make on his Government,) defeated 
the chief object that I had in view in the engagement of the "Chic- 
amauga" ; for the " Wilderness " was a small vessel, scarcely suffi- 
cient to carry Mr. Romero, his family, and suite, leaving no room 
for the proposed invited guests: and so I was compelled to abandon 
the design to which I had attached such considerable importance, 
and in which I had expended no little time, pains, and money. 

I GO TO MEXICO TO OBTAIN AN EQUITABLE SETTLEMENT OF THE 
CLAIMS OF MYSELF AND OTHER a:\IEKICAN CREDITORS. 

The " Chicamauga" had to be discharged, and in company with 
Mr. Tifft, the financial agent, who, as well as myself, had been re- 
quested by Mr. Romero to go to Mexico, and a few friends who had 
materially aided the Mexican Government, I took passage for 
Mexico in the regular steamer. This affair of the "Chicamauga" 
(for the expenses of which, I of course, never intended, nor now 
propose, to claim re-imbursement from' the Mexican Government,) 



81 

I should have excluded from the present statement, but for the 
consideration that it serves to illustrate the motive that actu- 
ated me, namely, to show to the Mexican Government and people 
the interest taken in their welfare by leading citizens of the United 
States, in doing the minister of that country the honor of accom- 
panying him on his return; and thus to bring about the friendly 
relationship of which I have spoken. 

WE ARE ASSAILED, INSTEAD OF WELCOMED, BY THE MEXICAN PRESS. 

Our arrival in Mexico was the signal for the press of that country 
to open hostilities against American citizens in general, and our- 
selves in particular. Our services and sacrifices for the cause of 
their country were belittled, our motives disparaged, and it would 
have appeared to one unfamiliar with the facts that we had come 
to solicit favors of an unwilling people, rather than to obtain a sat- 
isfactory settlement for important services rendered and aid fur- 
nished that country — aid and services which had contributed so 
largely to the recovery of the lost liberties of the Mexican people. 

At this juncture Mr. Romero, for the purpose of public infor- 
mation and correcting all manner of ridiculous and unfounded 
impressions that had obtained belief, published in the official news- 
paper of his Government a series of official communications or 
reports, giving a detailed account of what had been done in the 
United States under the auspices of himself and other Commis- 
sioners, in relation to procuring material aid for the cause of the 
Mexican Republic. Of my own share in these transactions Mr. 
Romero has the following to say in one of those communications: 
************* 

"General Herman Sturm, Chief of Ordnance of the State of Indiana, had been 
appointed by General Carvajal agent for the purchase of munitions of war for 
Mexico. 

Notwithstanding I regarded with natural distrust all the persons whom General 
Carvajal bad brought around him, because as a general thing they inspired me 
with no confidence, I received such good recommendations of General Sturm, and 
he manifested such good sense when he addressed me about the purchase of arms, 
that I thought I ought to retain him in the character given to him by General Car- 
vajal, giving him instructions that would prevent any abuse in his position as such. 
Thariks to the untiring energy and activity of this general, arms and munitions of 
war were purchased with bonds, and even their transportation in steamers to the 
Republic, was paid with them. 

The first retnission was made under the auspices of General Carvajal. General 
Sturm contracted in his ©"wn name for a whole cargo, which was to have been paid 

6 



82 

in gold at reasonable prices, on arriving at Matamoras; consideriHg the danger o? 
the operation, and in case the payment should not be thus verified, it was to be paid 
in bonds at sixty per cent, which was the market price. The cargo left New York 
greatly "to my surprise (for I did not believe the operation could be made,) on 
board the Steamer "Everman"' which arrived safe at Matamoras. Unfortunately 
when General Carvajal received the effects, the revolution of Servando Canales 
broke out, which prevented the effects from being used immediately. The agent 
sent by General Sturm with them, succeeded in saving the greatest part of them; 
which were at length handed over to Generals Escobedo and Viezca, and wbich 
well served both gentlemen in giving a death-blow to the traitors. Said effects not 
having been paid in gold in Matamoras, I paid in bonds that part of them which 
fell into the hands of the national forces. Satisfied that General Sturm could pur- 
chase munitions of war with bonds at fair prices, I commissioned him to procure 
those needed by General Pedro de Baranda, an agent from General Alejandro Gar- 
cia, second in command of the Eastern line. He bought what he could, and they 
weBB sent on board the Steamer "Vixen" to Minatitlan. Fortunately they arrived 
safe and did good service. General Diaz used them in taking Puebla. Mr. Juan 
Jose Baz had been commissioned by General Eegules to procure arms and munitions 
of war. The cargo of the "Vixen" having been sent, I recommended to Oeneriil 
Sturm the purchase of effects a&ked for by Mr. Baz, for General Regules. Another 
cargo was purchased ; but in procuring a vessel to take it to the Pacific, great dif- 
ficulties were experienced on account of the great distance and long time employed 
in arriving at the point of designation. For this reason, I determined to send said 
arms to Tampico or Tuxpam, and that Mr. Baz, whom I commissioned to take them, 
should deliver a part of them to the patriots of the Huastcea and State of Mexico, 
and the other part to General Diaz. 

Mr. Jose Ferrer who had bought arms for the troops of General Alatorre, put 
them aboard the "Suwanee" which was the same steamer in which Mr. Baz was 
bringing those arms. Unfortunately this Steamer foundered on the coast of South 
Carolina and all was lost. This disaster and the favorable aspect the affairs of the 
Kepublic were assuming, made me determine to forward no more armament. A 
short time after I received instructions from the Government to suspend all pur- 
chases. General Sturm, nevertheless, to supply the demands made by Messrs. Beni- 
tez, Baz, and General Baranda, had made contracts which placed at our disposition 
other effects. Of these, some were sent to General Berriozabal at Matamoras, at 
the time he was in a difficult situation in that city, and when they were of great 
utility in keeping that city subservient to the authority of the Government. 
Another portion was sent to General Pavon at Tampico, on board the Steamer 
{'General McCallum," when he was besieging the insurrectionists headed by As- 
cencion Gomez ; and the receipt of these arms contributed to their capitulation. 
The remainder of said effects was sent to Vera Cruz, to the order of General Diaz, 
who having the command of only a division, placed them at the disposition of the 
Supreme Government. 

When General Carvajal was ready to start to go to take charge of the govern- 
ment of the State of Tamaulipas, he recommended me to send him a steamer to block- 
ade Matamoras. When this city should be occupied, she would be of service to 
take Tampico, which was yet in the power of the traitors. I was told by General 
Sturm that they had proposed to sell him one, which answered our purposes, at a 
very reasonable price. After mature deliberation, I determined to buy it for sixtj- 



83 

six thousand dollars. Unfortunately she arrived at Matamoras when General Car- 
vajal had been displaced by the rebellion of Canales. No legitimate authority was 
found to whom to deliver her and she remained at Brazos de Santijigo. When 
General Escobedo occupied Matamoras he was told that the steamer was at his dis- 
posal, but not having any instructions on this matter, he declined to receive it. 
General Berriozabal received her at last, after having layed idle about a year at 
Brazos de Santiago, and armed her in order to blockade Vera Cruz after the French 
left, and going to that port she sunk on the coast of Tamaulipas. 

Among the instructions I gave General Sturm to purchase arms, there was one 
by which it was expressly agreed that each contract he would make should require 
my approval for its validity, with the view of satisfying myself that he purchased 
only those articles which were wanted, and that their prices were reasonable. Having 
manifested to me that in these proceedings he often lost the opportunity of making 
purchases, because persons that one day were ready to sell their goods for bonds, 
changed their minds on the nex', I determined to authorize the Citizen Juan N. 
Navarro, Consul of the Republic in New York, in whose integrity and patriotism I 
had the purest confidence, to approve of the purchases whenever he thought their 
prices reasonable. This was so much more convenient, for as he lived in New York 
it would be easier for him than for me to know the market prices of the goods pur- 
chased. With the exception of two or three cases, in which I approved of the 
contracts of General Sturm, all the rest were ratified by Mr. Navarro; and once 
approved, I had nothing to do but to draw on the firm of Messrs. Corliss & Co. for 
the amount of bonds wanted by General Sturm to pay for them. 

As for^the prices of the goods bought, I must say here, that considering the want 
we had of them, and the circumstances and manner in which the purchase was 
made, they were very fair. Could we have had money to have bought them for 
cash, undoubtedly we could have gotten them at lower prices; but we must recol- 
lect that we paid in bonds issued by a Government that was not established, and 
much less consolidated ; and whose success was so doubtful that, therefore, the 
holders of such bonds did run the risk, in case that our enemies would triumph, 
that they would not be recognized by them, or, at least, if we should triumph, of 
not being paid with the interests, as it hses happened. If we take into consideration 
all these matters, and yet, that the Government of the United States, with an ex- 
cellent credit, had to sell its dollars at thirty cents, and that the Confederates gave 
a bale of cotton for each gun, we will come to the conclusion that the price of six- 
teen dollars in bonds we paid for Enfield and Springfield rifles was not so high. 

When we reflect that we bought at the time when each gun was ot inestimable 
value to us, and when our credit neither was, nor could be very high, and we reflect 
that the arms were sent under circumstances that were necessarily very urgent, to 
Generals Carvajal, Escobedo, Viezca, Diaz, Garcia, Berriozabal, Pavop, and others, 
the good service which they have rendered, the moral effect which the news of the 
issuing of the bonds and the purchase of arms produced in the Republic, discourag- 
ing our enemies, including Napoleon, and encouraging our friends, which I had an 
opportunity to know by the great number of commissions sent tome from all parts 
at Washington; and when we consider that all this was accomplished with less than 
two millions of dollars in bonds, which at their market price can now be bought 
up for two hundred thousand dollars, — I think that nobody will believe that there 
was any bad management, or that the Republic was unjustly brought in debt. 

In many other nations, it will be believed, on the contrary, that prodigies had 
been efi'ected, with an amount relatively insignificant. 



84 

The power the Givernment gave me to procure means was very ample. Wot 
expecting to obtain those means, I made use of my authority to approve or disap- 
prove of the arra-'gements of other Commissioners, and to authorize the purchase 
of articles of war." * 

FAILURE OF MY VISIT TO MEXICO BASENESS AND TREACHERY OF 

THAT GOVERNMENT TO ITS AMERICAN CREDITORS. 

I remained at the Mexican Capital for more than three months, 
vainly endeavoring to effect the object of my journey, namely, to 
obtain from the Mexican Government satisfactory settlements of the 
claims of myself and of the other citizens of the United States who 
had furnished material aid to the Republic of Mexico, according to 
our contracts with that Government. It must not be understood 
that I went there to make unreasonable demands — to ask of the 
Mexican Government that which it was not able to grant. I did not 
ask immediate cash payment of my claims or those of the other 
American creditors whom I was representing. All that I requested 
was an honorable fulfillment by that Goverement of its agreements 
with myself and the creditors I represented. For myself, I asked 
only reimbursement for the moneys I had incidentally expended 
in the purchase and shipment of arms to Mexico, and in liquidat- 
ing old claims against that Government which stood in the way of 
obtaining credit for military stores in this Country; and for all my 
other expenditures in the service of that Government, as well as 
for compensation for my services and for those who had co- 
operated with me in effecting the success I had attained, I asked 
only an equitable fulfillment of the Mexican Government's 
agreement with me. I did not demand in behalf of the other 
creditors I represented, nor did they expect, payment at that 
time of their claims against Mexico. "What I asked in behalf of 
these was, an equitable fulfillment of the contracts under which 
tltey had furnished the Mexican Government material of war, etc., 
— security for their claims — iiayment in bonds for those who had not 
received them as had been promised — and some provision for paying- 
the overdue interest on that comparatively small portion of bounds that 
had been delivered to these creditors. But the Mexican Govern- 
ment studiously avoided, during all that time, any encouragement 
of my mission, or apparent entertainment of my more than gener- 

* This extract is from a literal translatioa of Mr. Bosaero's coinmuDication, fttrnishcii by him i» 
an Enslish newspaper in tlie City of Mexico, and publisbed therein ssmnUaiieousiy witb its pnbli* 
cation, in tbo Mexican vernacnlav, in the official newspaper of lliat coontrj . 



85 

ous propositions; carefully refraining from making any proposition 
even looking to a settlement, or so much as acknowledging the 
validity of the claims for which I was seeking satisfaction, or mani- 
festing the slightest show of gratitude for the assistance that had 
been so generously furnished the cause of Mexican Independence 
by citizens of the United States. 

Finally, convinced that I had been laboring under a delusion in 
expecting that the Mexican Government would act an honorable 
part toward myself and fellow creditors, and satisfied from my own 
treatment and the shameful outrages I had seen perpetrated on 
American citizens, under the very eyes of the Mexican Government, 
that I could not hope to accomplish the objects of my journey, I 
prepared to return home. For this purpose I proceeded to make 
the necessary preparations. But information of these preparations 
coming to the knowledge of Mr. Romero, that gentleman — evident- 
ly apprehensive of the unpleasant effects that might ensue on my 
return to the United States with information of the treatment I had 
received — called on me, just before the time of my intended depart- 
ure for home, saying, that he had labored, ever since my arrival in 
his Country, to induce the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Lerdo, 
to equitably settle with me and the other American creditors, but 
had failed to effect that result: and now he was come to announce 
that he had been authorized by Mr. Lerdo to make a proposition. 
What was this proposition so tardily made? It entirely ig- 
nored the claims of the creditors I represented. As for myself, it 
offered me, as a full settlement, the sum of f 41.000, in specie, as re- 
imbursement (but without interest) for that portion of my inciden- 
tal expenses, relating to the purchase and shipment of arras, and to 
the liquidation of long overdue claims against the Mexican Govern- 
ment, of which I have heretofore made mention in this statement, 
and ^11.000, in cash, as payment for all my services and those of 
the friends to whom I was obligated for their assistance ; which offer 
I was given to understand, was the best the Mexican Government 
chose to make, and which I might acceptor not, as I preferred — thus 
utterly ignoring, as I have said, the claims of the citizens of this 
Country who had been for the past few years so generously aiding 
and trusting that Government; appreciating the services of my 
friends at nothing, and my own at next to nothing; ignoring over 
two-thirds of my expenditures in behalf of the cause of the Mexi- 
ran Republic; and disregarding the grants and other rewards, 



86 

solemnly pledged to me, by the duly authorized Commissioner of 
the Government of that Republic. 

A proposition so dishonorable to the Mexican Government, and 
so outrageously inadequate, excited in me mingled astonishment 
and indignation. I promptly refused to accept it ; and recalled to 
Mr. Romero's mind the promises and pledges made by his Gov- 
ernment to the citizens of the United States, under which they had 
been induced to become the creditors of Mexico ; toward whom a 
huge and glaring breach of faith was now proposed by his Gov- 
ernment. I recapitulated the solemn obligations of the Mexican 
Government with myself, the services I had performed and induced 
others to perform for the cause of his country, the outlays of money 
I had incurred, and my obligations to others for co-operation and 
assistance ; all of which I had done, under the firm conviction that 
his Government would, like an honorable nation, keep its pledges. 
I repeated to him that I had not come to ask a rigid satisfaction of 
the claims of myself and friends and the body of American cred- 
itors I was representing. All I desired was an equitable fulfillment 
of the pledges of his Government. I wanted to know what pre- 
vented his Government from confirming my title to the land grant 
executed to me by General Carvajal, acting for the Mexican Gov- 
ernment, and which I had already pledged, in part, to others for 
valuable assistance in behalf of his country. And I inquired what 
there was to hinder his Government from granting me some of the 
special privileges or franchises, about which we had spoken in the 
United States, and which I had proposed to accept, as substitutes 
for money, in compensation for my services and remuneration for 
my expenditures, except the sums I had expended in the purchase 
and shipment of arms. 

To all of which, Mr. Romero only answered by shrugging his 
shoulders, and saying that his Government was opposed to con- 
cessions of these kinds to foreigners, and especially to Americans, 
and that Senor Lerdo de Tejada did not deem it "convenient'' to 
grant to foreigners any of the concessions of which I had spo- 
ken. (By all of which it appears, I think, that "inconvenience" 
is a Mexican term for indisposition to pay debts in any manner 
Vv^hatever.) I energetically remonstrated with Mr. Romero against 
the faithless course his Government seemed to have resolved to 
pursue toward its deserving creditors ; and assured him that his 
country could not but be the loser in the end by such conduct ; and 



8.7 

spoke of the position I was now placed in of being compelled, 
when confronted by the citizens of the United States whom I had 
induced to trust" his country, to contradict the very assurances 1 
had made them. On which, Mr. Romero more than intimated that 
I was taking too much concern about these creditors. Mr. Lerdo 
did not consider it " convenient " to settle with them at present ; 
and regarded their demands as mere claims against his Govern- 
ment, which, at some indefinite time in the future, might be prose- 
cuted under a treaty between the two Governments. Of this " New 
Way to Pay Old Debts " I think I need not attempt to show the in- 
tent and insufficiency, as both are sufficiently transparent without 
explanation or comment. 

Mr. Romero assured me with much earnestness that he was now, 
and had always been, anxious for just settlements of the claims of 
American creditors against his Government ; but most especially 
had he wished and labored to obtain for me appropriate recompense 
for the valuable aid he admitted that I had rendered his country. 
But he had been unable to secure the approval or co-operation of 
the other members of his Government in the fulfillment of his de- 
sire ; and especially had he found Mr. Lerdo, the Foreign Secre- 
tary, opposed to taking the prompt and satisfactory action neces- 
sary in the premises. He had also unsuccessfully labored to this 
end with President Juarez. He was still greatly desirous that I, at 
least, should be fittingly compensated and remunerated, and there- 
fore, urged me to accept Mr. Lerdo's proposition, for the present ; 
adding that by so doing I would make an agreeable impression on 
his Government ; and he himself, as a member of the Mexican Cab- 
inet, would be in a position to advocate my claims for further and 
more complete compensation. As further proof of his solicitude 
that I should not be unrecompensed by his Government, he then 
suggested certain methods by means of which he would be able, 
as Secretary of the Mexican Treasury, to benefit me financially. 
But these plans — though doubtless well intended by Mr. Romero — 
were of such a nature that I could not, under the peculiar circum- 
stances of the case, consent to be connected with them. 

I RETURN HOMK, AFTKR AN UNSUCCESSFUL JOURNEY. 

Such was the treatment I received, and such the unblushingly 
declared faithlessness of the Mexican Government; and finding 
that I had nothing more to expect, I finally, on the eve of my de- 



parture for home, accepted and received the partial re-imbursement 
tendered me by Mr. Lerdo, as so much credit on account; but declined 
to receive the other offered sum of f 11,000, as satisfaction for my 
services and general expenditures, or as a quid pro quo for the 
rewards and compensations for which 1 held, and yet hold, the ob- 
ligations of his Government: — postponing till a future time my 
demands on the Mexican Government for a full and final settle- 
ment; fully satisfied that I could do no better at that time; and 
thoroughly persuaded that it was the purpose of that Government 
to evade, if possible, the payment of its obligations with me and 
the other creditors in the United States. 

FEELING OF THE DISAPPOINTED CREDITORS 1 URGE PATIENCE, AND 

SUGGEST THE PLAN OF A TREATY. 

On my return to the United States, in the month of March, 1868, 
I found the creditors of the Mexican Government anxious, of course, 
to learn the result of my journey. I need not describe their indig- 
nation at the faithlessness of that Government. Nearly all of 
them were in favor of at once exposing, through the Press and 
other publications, the treachery of the Mexican Government, and 
violation of its obligations; and proposed that they organize 
without delay for the purpose of bringing influences to bear on 
that Government which would have the effect to enforce an early 
payment of their just demands. But T was still in favor of giving 
the Mexican Government the amplest time to fulfill its obligations 
with myself and these creditors ; and so reasoned with them to be 
patient and wait yet a while longer; and leave strong language and 
compulsory procedures as a last resort, when there should no longer 
be ground for hope that the Mexican Government intended to 
accord to them a just settlement of their claims. I can best, per- 
haps, show my disposition at that time and views as to the proper 
course to be pursued in the premises, by quoting from a letter, 
written by me May 6th, 1868, to some of the leading creditors of 
Mexico, in response to their request for my opinion as to the proper 
action to be taken by Mexican creditors in this county. In this 
letter I said, after enumerating the embarrassments of the Mexican 

Govern.ment, resulting from the exhausting war just ended: — 

****** * * » 

" While it is true that the nature of your claims are such as to 
have entitled you and them to early attention and the most satis- 



89 

factory settlement, there may be some excuse to be made from the 
circumstances I have spoken of; and I yet believe that that Gov- 
ernment will, after giving the matter the proper thought, be dis- 
posed to render that justice which you demand. 

" There have been, as you know, many claims made upon Mexico, 
Avhich were either extravagant or fraudulent in their nature, and 
these claims, urged by unscrupulous persons, have met with a 
readier support, because the tardiness of Mexico to acknowledge 
her just indebtedness, has created a feeling of distrust and the 
belief that the fault of all delay was in the unwillingness of that 
Government to pay anything to foreigners. 

" The true way to adjust this matter, is, in my opinion, to secure 
a careful revision of all claims now held against Mexico, obtain an 
official declaration as to the equity and legality of that portion 
which will stand the test of a close and impartial investigation, 
and thus enlist the sympathy of our citizens and command the 
respect at least of the Mexican Government. It seems to me that 
this is not only the most just but the readiest way to approach a 
final settlement of all claims, and although it is true as you say 
that the nature of your claims are such as to demand the imme- 
diate and grateful attention of the Mexican Government, there are 
many excuses to be made for this neglect, and it seems to me that 
this course is more dignified and will be attended with happier if 
not more speedy results. A commission composed of good reputa- 
ble business men, the members of which shall be appointed one half 
by each Government, respectively, viz., the United States and the 
Republic of Mexico, could, I think, be secured, and, after carefully 
weeding out the fraudulent or extravagant from the just and equit- 
able claims, easily arrange for a speedy settlement of the latter. I 
believe the plan to be feasible and practicable, as well as eminently 
just to Mexico. For the immediate adjustment of your claims? 
which, from their nature, you demand should have preference in 
attention, this plan might not perhaps secure all that you are justly 
entitled to, in point of time at least; but I think it preferable to the 
coercive measures advocated by some of your friends and a portion 
of the Press. We have an undoubted right to demand of the Mex- 
ican Government that it shall settle its accounts, and it has the 
same right to demand the same of us, but I think that all that is 
desired can be gained by arbitration, not of the sword, but of 
honest and disinterested men. 



90 

<'For these reasons I repeat, that in any proper way I am not 
only willing, but feel it my duty to aid you by any means within 
my power. I believe that the course proposed by me will lead to 
much greater and more important results, and eventually secure the 
object for which I have so long labored, viz : a treaty by which the 
commercial interests of both countries may be advanced and made 
reciprocally advantageous.'' 

The plan recommended by me in the above extract found favor 
with those to whom it was addressed ; and at a meeting of a num- 
ber of the creditors of the Mexican Government, held in New York 
on the 5th May, 1868, resolutions were adopted endorsing this plan, 
and appointing a committee composed of influential merchants of 
New York City, who were creditors of Mexico, to take such steps 
as they might deem best calculated to secure the ratification of the 
proposed measure by the Governments of the United States and 
Mexico, 

MR. ROMERO COMES TO THE UNITED STATES TO PROVIDE FOR A 
SETTLEMENT OF THE CLAIMS OF AMERICAN CREDITORS OF HIS 
GOVERNMENT, BY MEANS OF A TREATY. 

Accounts of the proceedings and action of this meeting were 
published in the newspapers of the day, and in due course of time 
came to the knowledge of the Mexican Government. The effect 
of these proceedings was, that Mr. Romero was sent to this coun- 
try fully authorized by his Government (as it subsequently trans- 
pired) to conclude a treaty with the United States for a settlement 
of the claims of citizens of either country against the Government 
of the other. 

At an interview with Mr. Romero in the month of June, he pro- 
fessed his regrets that I should have of late been acting with the 
" enemies " of his country : by which term he only meant the cred- 
itors of Mexico, who were using the only conciliatory means left 
them to secure from his Government satisfaction of their claims ; 
and my alleged inimical conduct, which had thus caused him pain, 
was nothing worse than my co-operation with the other American 
creditors of Mexico in their endeavors to obtain justice. 

I observed to Mr. Romero that the action of these creditors was 
a very reasonable and justifiable procedure, in view of his Govern- 
ment's unfulfilled contracts with them ; and urged upon him the 



91 

importance of speedily concluding a treaty of the character 
proposed by these creditors. After arguing to him at some length 
the considerations of justice and expediency which equally dictated 
the consent of his Government to the plan proposed — to which he 
could not but agree, — Mr. B/Oraero promised that he would endeav- 
or to effect the conclusion of the desired treaty. 

He accordingly proceeded to Washington for the professed 
purpose of carrying out the understanding between him and 
the creditors of Mexico in this country : and on the 4th July, 1868, 
a treaty was concluded and signed by Mr. Seward and Mr. Rom- 
ero, and was subsequently ratified by their respective Governments. 

MR. Romero's construction of the treaty. 

This treaty, which was not promulgated until the formal exchange 
of its ratification by the two Governments, I was assured by Mr. 
Romero, and it was so generally understood, comprehended the 
settlement of all classes of claims of citizens of either country 
against the Government of the other: and months after its ratifica- 
tion by the United States Senate, Mr. Romero again assured me of 
its sufficiency, in a letter dated at the City of Mexico, October 24, 
1868, in which he says : 

" My desire is to settle in good faith the claims of all Americans 
who helped us in any way during the war with the French. One 
of my principal objects in going to Washington last summer was 
to come to an understanding with the Government of the United 
States about this. Fortunately we succeeded in this, and you know 
the treaty which was signed, and which is almost the same you pro- 
posed at the meeting at the Fifth Avenue Hotel." 

I MAKE A SECOND FRUITLESS VISIT TO MEXICO. 

While the negotiation of this treaty was being effected, Mr. 
Romero, in a conversation, stated to me that his Government would 
much prefer to settle directly, and without recourse to the remedy 
provided by that treaty, with the American creditors who had 
claims for material aid furnished the Mexican Republic during the 
late war in that country. 

As I was already contemplating a visit to Mexico to attend to 
various unsettled accounts for military stores that 1 had furnished 



92 

different local authorities of that country, Mr. Romero's assurance 
of the desire of his Government to settle with its American creditors, 
was an additional incentive to a second journey to that country, 
and I again arrived at the City of Mexico in the month of Novem- 
ber, 1868. 

But I found the Mexican Government no more ready or willing 
to settle with its American creditors than on the occasion of my 
former visit: on the contrary it was more indifferent, in this regard 
than before, and seemed to be determined to avail itself of the 
full privileges of the delay incident to a settlement under the forms 
of the treaty recently negotiated with the United States. The only 
benefit I realized from this second visit was to obtain, through the 
efforts of Mr. Romero, a further payment of ^2,500 on my claims 
against his Government. 

MEXICAN TREACHERY AND DISHONESTY FURTHER ILLUSTRATED. 

Concerning the result of this visit, and in relation to my efforts 
to obtain payment for military stores furnished several Mexican 
officials, on private account, I will add a few words, to show that 
the treacherous and faithless conduct of the (jrovernment was but 
a manifestation or specimen of the utter disregard of honor or 
principle that seems to characterize alike the high and low, federal 
and state, officials now governing- Mexico— with here and there, as 
a matter of course, an occasional honorable exception. 

I have heretofore described how, during my connection with the 
Mexican Government as its Agent in this country, when it was no 
longer possible to obtain credit for Mexican bonds, I induced a 
number of dealers in military stores, at the suggestion of Com- 
missioners of the Mexican Government, and under promises of 
liberal concessions and facilities on the part of that Government, 
to ship a cargo of munitions to Tampico, there to be sold to the 
Mexican authorities; how I was then assured that the money for 
their payment was in readiness at that port; how the revolutionary 
Commandant, Gomez, compelled the discharge of the cargo there; 
and how the owners of that cargo were disappointed and wronged 
in the transaction. On my first visit to Mexico, in the autumn of 
1867, I endeavored to effect a settlement in behalf of the owners 
of this cargo ; and failing in this object, authorized a responsible 
firm in the city of Mexico to dispose of these munitions to such of 
the Mexican authorities as might be disposed to purchase them. 



93 

In pursuance of this authority, my Agents sold a large portion of 
the cargo, to.diifereut State Governments of that country, for which 
payment was pledged to be made as soon as the purchasers should 
be presented with the receipts of the officials authorized to receive 
the purchases. But these State officials afterward failed to observe 
their contracts with my Agents; and on the occasion of my second 
visit to Mexico, in 1868, I fruitlessly Endeavored, also, to effect a 
fulfillment of these contracts. Among others, I demanded payment 
of the Governor of Puebla, who was one of these debtors and 
chanced at that time to be in the city of Mexico. To which he 
answered that the money for the liquidation of his contract with 
my Agents was at that time in the Custom House at Vera Cruz ; 
and having been advised by Mr. Romero of my presence in that 
country, and requested to settle this claim, he had instructed the 
Custom House officials at the above named port, to deliver to me 
the money in payment of this debt on my demand. But as this gen- 
tleman had before violated his promises to my Agents more than a 
score of times (a literal truth,) I was not disposed, on the present 
occasion, to repOse entire confidence in his assurance; and so sent 
a messenger to Vera Cruz to find out if the Governor's statement 
was correct. As I had apprehended, it turned out that his story 
touching the funds to his credit in the Custom House at Vera Cruz 
was without the slightest foundation in truth. Thereupon, my 
Agent called on that gentleman and remonstrated against such a 
flagrant deception ; on which the latter, with exquisite humor, 
accompanied by gay gestures and facial expression, admitted that 
he had no money at Vera Ci^uz, and was aware of that fact when 
he so informed me; that he had only resorted to this deception to 
get rid of me, and would not have done so had he thought I would 
send a messenger to Vera Cruz to ascertain the truth of his state- 
ment, instead of going there myself — ^rightly thinking that I would 
not return to further solicit him, after having reached Vera Cru25 
on my way home. 

INSUFFICIKNCY OF THE TREATY. 

The Mexican Government has not since improved in its disposi- 
tion or course toward myself and the other American creditors 
whose claims I have been relating. Justice for myself and these, 
from that Government, remains to be sought by other and more 
effectual mea.ns than any to which we have yet had recourse. For 



94 

the treaty, above mentioned, which was looked to as a comprehen- 
sive and satisfactory maasure of relief turns out to be no remedy 
at all. Its jurisdiction is stated in obscure or ambiguous language, 
of which the Mexican Government will doubtless take full advan- 
tage. The rules of the Commission appointed to pass upon claims 
presented for settlement, under this treaty, are arbitrary, oppressive, 
and difficult to be complied with, and seem to have been contrived 
for the express purpose of preventing American claimants from 
deriving any benefit from the treaty. Some other remedy must, 
therefore, be sought. 

CONCLUSION. 

And now I have brought to a close this statement, (which has 
necessarily exceeded the limits originally intended;) in which I have 
aimed to describe my connection with the Government of Mexico 
as its Agent in this country; and the truth of which, in every par- 
ticular, I can substantiate by documentary proof in my possession, 
and the testimony of many living witnesses of good repute in this 
country. 

I have confined myself strictly to facts; and have sought to 
present to the public an intelligible statement of the promises and 
pledges, by means of which the Government of the Mexican Re- 
public was successful in obtaining material aid in behalf of its 
cause from citizens of the United States; the extent and impor- 
tance of that aid; and the violation by that Government of its 
obligations to its creditors in this country for the aid so obtained. 

I think I have demonstrated that the present Government of 
Mexico, of which so much was expected, and which was at one 
time so highly extolled, is no more worthy of confidence, or actua- 
ted by just motives, than the average of its predecessors ; and that 
no citizen of this country can hope to receive voluntarily accorded 
justice from that Government. 

American creditors of the Mexican Government have, therefore, 
but one reliance for redress left them — the Government of the Uni- 
ted States. 

H. STURM. 

Indianapolis, 15th November, 1869. 



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